Vattenfall has reached an agreement with Peel Ports to reserve a space at Great Yarmouth harbour where an O&M base will be built for the 1800MW each Norfolk Boreas and Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind projects off east England.
The Swedish developer is expecting to secure approval for the Vanguard project next year and submit plans for Boreas to UK planning authorities in summer 2019.
“We will have the ideal home for up to 150 skilled wind technicians looking after two wind farms which will be among the largest ever built,” said Vanguard project manager Rauri Lean.
Great Yarmouth Port Director Richard Goffin said the agreement “enhances Great Yarmouth’s position as the east of England’s most successful offshore energy hub and will attract further investment in the existing world-class supply chain, bringing a host of employment and economic growth opportunities to the region”.
Each project will use between 90 and 257 turbines with tip heights of up to 325 metres. DC cable technology will link them to shore at Happisburgh in eastern Norfolk.
Vanguard is due to be fully commissioned by 2026-27 and first power from both projects is due in the mid 2020s under to current plans.