Associated British Ports has signed a long-term partnership with ScottishPower Renewables to support operations and maintenance for the East Anglia 2 and 3 offshore wind farms from Lowestoft.
The port operator said ScottishPower Renewables will use berths at the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility for service operation vessels and crew transfer vessels.
The agreement builds on ScottishPower Renewables’ existing operations in the town, where it already runs the East Anglia 1 O&M base, according to the companies.
ABP stated that the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility is a £35 million investment designed to support offshore energy activities with deep-water berths and future-ready infrastructure.
Andy Reay, head of offshore wind at ABP, said: “This partnership with ScottishPower Renewables is a major step forward for Lowestoft and the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.”
Ross Ovens, UK managing director offshore at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Lowestoft is our long-term home and the heart of our UK offshore wind operations. We already have a strong working relationship with ABP, and this new agreement builds on years of successful collaboration as we prepare to deliver EA2 and EA3 to power a cleaner and greener future.”
ScottishPower Renewables added that it is committing more than £8 million to expand its presence in Lowestoft, including a new operations and maintenance base for East Anglia 3 expected to accommodate around 100 people.
The company said peak construction activity across its supply chain for the projects is expected to support more than 2,300 jobs.