Associated British Ports (ABP) has signed a long-term partnership with ScottishPower Renewables to support operations and maintenance (O&M) activities for the East Anglia TWO and THREE offshore wind farms from the port of Lowestoft.
SPR will utilise berths at LEEF for service operation vessels (SOV) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs), taking advantage of Lowestoft’s proximity to the East Anglian offshore wind farms. SPR’s has a long-standing presence in Lowestoft, where it already operates its East Anglia ONE O&M base.
LEEF has 345 m of quayside with three deepwater berths (7.5 m draught), with capacity to accommodate service operation vessels regardless of tide levels. It has up to 8 acres (3.2 ha) of operational and storage space and six crew transfer vessel berths. LEEF also has infrastructure to support alternative fuels and shore power.
“Lowestoft is our long-term home and the heart of our UK offshore wind operations,” commented Ross Ovens, UK managing director – offshore at SPR. “The benefits of our offshore wind farms extend far beyond renewable energy generation, they contribute directly to the local and wider UK economy.”
Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, added: “This long-term commitment brings with it not just jobs and investment, but real momentum in transforming Lowestoft into a national hub for offshore wind.”
HLPFI reported earlier this week that ABP had commenced constructed works on the first phase of its major Humber development at its Helm @ Immingham site.
