Siemens Gamesa has extended its service contract at the 714MW East Anglia 1 offshore wind farm in the North Sea from five to 15 years.
The deal, among the biggest in Siemens Gamesa’s Service business unit’s history, comes just one year after the commissioning of the final of the 102 SWT-7.0-154 turbines at the site off east England.
Servicing and maintenance of the wind farm will continue to be undertaken from the base at the port of Lowestoft.
The original development created around 800 jobs for the region, while this contract extension will secure local jobs in the former fishing industry region well into the 2030s, said the manufacturer.
The full-scope contract to service and maintain EA1 includes provision of offshore logistics and jack-up vessels. Access to EA1 for service will be via a mix of Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) and helicopter.
The wind farm was built by Iberdrola subsidiary ScottishPower Renewables.
Oliver Feltham, service operations manager Siemens Gamesa, said: “We are delighted that ScottishPower Renewables has awarded us this almost unprecedented extension of the original contract to maintain EA1. To have this happen so soon after the initial contract award, and against the backdrop of changed working practices due to COVID-19, is a great endorsement of our experience and reliability.”
Victor Rey Romero, Iberdrola’s offshore O&M director, added: “This extension reflects the positive partnership working between ScottishPower and Siemens Gamesa following the completion of EA1 last year.
“The contract extension means we will continue to benefit from Siemens Gamesa’s knowledge and experience in supporting our windfarm operations over a prolonged period, while we focus on producing the clean, green energy the UK needs to make the transition to net zero. And it will also boost the local economy, providing job security and confidence. This is a very positive development and we very much look forward to continuing to build on our partnership with Siemens Gamesa in the coming years.”