ScottishPower Renewables celebrates first turbine installed in East Anglia ONE wind farm

Completed on 22 June, installation of the 7MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbine is a major milestone for the wind farm, marking the start of the final phase of the construction process following ten years of work and development. Located 43 km off the Suffolk coast, East Anglia ONE is creating hundreds of jobs for local people within the supply chain as well as harnessing a significant amount of UK content.

All of the turbine components are being pre-assembled and loaded out from Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, following ScottishPower Renewables’ £5 million co-investment in the port to prepare it for construction and marshalling activity. The components, consisting of 75 m fibre glass blades, tower sections and nacelles (the head of the turbine), have been on view along the Great Yarmouth seafront and skyline as the 90 m high towers have been constructed and stood on the quayside.

This is the first of 102 turbines being installed for £2.5 billion East Anglia ONE wind farm. Demonstrating ScottishPower Renewables’ commitment to spending over 50% of East Anglia ONE’s project investment in the UK, a significant amount of the wind turbine components have been produced in Britain. Each of the 306 fibre glass turbine blades have been manufactured by Siemens Gamesa at its specially built factory in Hull, while some of the towers are being produced in Machrihanish, Scotland, by CSWind UK. The work taking place at Peel Ports is being supported by several local companies and employees.

“The installation of East Anglia ONE’s first turbine is a very important milestone for the project and a huge step forward towards completion of the wind farm,” said Charlie Jordan, East Anglia ONE Project Director for ScottishPower Renewables.

“East Anglia ONE is already providing a significant boost to the local economy with over £70 million being committed to date to companies across the eastern England and further opportunities as the project becomes operational. Through the development of East Anglia ONE, we are not only providing cleaner energy but an array of training and job opportunities for this generation and the next.”

Andrew Elmes, East Anglia ONE Senior Project Manager at Siemens Gamesa, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside ScottishPower Renewables again, to manufacture, install and commission the turbines for East Anglia ONE.

“Drawing on our considerable experience in offshore wind power, the maturing of this excellent direct drive product, a UK supply chain and great collaboration between Siemens Gamesa and ScottishPower Renewables will ensure East Anglia ONE delivers reliable clean energy for generations to come.”

Richard Goffin, Port Director Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, said: “It is fantastic to see the investment into offshore renewables being made in our region. With the industry booming, and recent announcements made by the Crown Estate on potential future expansion, Great Yarmouth is at the forefront of the offshore sector, with tremendous potential to grow.

“To date, Peel Ports have invested £12 million to extend the outer harbour to supply offshore projects, with further expansion planned. We are proud to support the growth of the sector by providing a platform for projects such as East Anglia ONE.”

Carl Smith and Trevor Wainwright, the political group leaders at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, added: “Great Yarmouth is at the forefront of £39 billion energy investment over the next 20 years and is fast becoming an epicentre of the rapidly-growing offshore wind farm industry, which is of huge importance to our borough and region.

“The borough council has worked closely with Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, with excellent support from the County Council, to maximise the opportunities for Great Yarmouth across the energy sector. The first turbine being installed at East Anglia ONE is a great opportunity to celebrate the jobs and prosperity being brought to Great Yarmouth with the construction and marshalling being managed from the port.”

Councillor Graham Plant, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council and cabinet member for growing the economy, said: “This new wind farm is a powerful symbol of how we are all working together on a green industrial revolution which will transform Great Yarmouth’s future, boost Norfolk’s economy and play our part in tackling climate change.”

Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/26062019/scottishpower-renewables-celebrates-first-turbine-installed-in-east-anglia-one-wind-farm/