Scottish Power selects Lowestoft as new offshore wind base, boosting local economy

Scottish Power has announced plans to invest £8 million to establish its long-term offshore wind operations base in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The new site on Trinity Road will support the company’s offshore wind farms, particularly the East Anglia Three project, which is set to become the company’s largest wind farm and the second largest globally, powering 1.3 million homes by 2026.

The decision builds on the success of the company’s existing operations and maintenance hub for the East Anglia One offshore wind farm at Lowestoft Port. Ross Ovens, managing director of offshore development and operations, praised Lowestoft’s strategic importance due to its rich history in supporting the offshore industry, from fishing to oil, gas, and renewables.

“We’ve already proven it’s a fantastic location,” Ovens said. “We want to build upon that and expand our footprint with this new site, which will accommodate around 100 staff.”

Scottish Power’s expansion will not only support the East Anglia Three wind farm but also additional projects like East Anglia Two and East Anglia One North. These fully consented projects, along with new infrastructure such as a substation in Friston and a converter station near Saxmundham, will help deliver renewable energy to the UK grid.

Ovens acknowledged concerns from local campaigners about the environmental impact but stressed the company’s efforts to minimise disruption by consolidating infrastructure installations. “This is vital infrastructure for the UK,” he said, “ensuring green energy reaches where it’s needed.”

Kevin Keable, chair of the East of England Energy Group, emphasised that the new site will create additional jobs and inject billions into the local economy. As electricity demand continues to surge with the growth of data centres, electric vehicles, and heat pumps, the need for renewable energy sources like wind power becomes increasingly crucial.