ScottishPower seals new £8m Lowestoft base for offshore wind

Green energy company ScottishPower Renewables is investing £8m to expand its presence in Lowestoft - and kickstart regeneration of the PowerPark energy hub around the port.

The company said it has confirmed Lowestoft "as the long-term home and heart of its UK offshore wind operations" with the acquisition of a new site in the town's PowerPark expanding its existing footprint.

It will eventually create 100 new jobs at the site measuring just over 1.1 acres on Trinity Road, which is currently occupied by RJ Pryce.

ScottishPower confirms Lowestoft as its long-term home for UK offshore wind with a multi-million pound investment. Picture: WWW.EMBRACE-PHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK (Image: WWW.EMBRACE-PHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK)

Work on the new base at Trinity Road is expected to completed in 2026, and it will cater for around 100 people as it primarily provides an operations and maintenance base for the East Anglia Three offshore windfarm, which is currently under construction and is due to be in operation by 2026.

The development will see the family-run Pryce's business - which has been a staple in Lowestoft for more than 125 years - move to new premises nearby on Newcombe Road.

The current site of the development on Trinity Road – currently occupied by RJ Pryce. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) ScottishPower currently has its East Anglia One operations and maintenance base, at Hamilton Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

ScottishPower currently has its East Anglia One operations and maintenance base, at Hamilton Road in Lowestoft - on land owned by Associated British Ports at Lowestoft Port - with the new site just a stone's throw away.

With the East Anglia Three offshore windfarm already currently under construction, Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) managing director for offshore development and operations, said: "The project is already under construction and we are building all the various components across the globe.

"We will start seeing the offshore works next year.

"Here the facility needs to be ready for late 2026, for when the wind farm will be starting to generate nice clean electricity.

"We are expecting the building that will be here to take up to 100 people, so that is the level of opportunity here for jobs.

"Also during the peak of construction we will be employing over 2,300 people, which will be needed to build the project itself."

Mr Ovens added: "So there are lots of shorter term jobs in the construction phase, and the full time jobs here will be obviously in line for the project over 25 years - so jobs for the long term.

"The investment in this base itself is £8m, that is top of our other investments we have made in the region and there will be more to come as well."

'Really exciting'

Lowestoft MP, Jess Asato, said: "ScottishPower's decision to establish Lowestoft as a long-term hub for its UK offshore wind operations is a game-changer for our town, bringing significant economic opportunities.

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato and Ross Ovens, SPR’s Managing Director for Offshore Development and Operations at the site on Trinity Road – currently occupied by RJ Pryce. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"With a multi-million-pound investment, this project will not only support our windfarms, but also create local jobs, boosting employment in green energy.

"This investment is a key step toward regenerating Lowestoft and positioning it as a leader in the clean energy industry, ensuring long-term benefits for Lowestoft."

Stuart Pryce, director of RJ Pryce, said: "We’ve been trading in the town for over 125 years and this announcement marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the company.

Stuart Pryce, director of RJ Pryce. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The move to a new premises – less than a stone’s throw from our current site – will allow us to develop and improve our services.

"We’re delighted to welcome this investment in the town, strengthening Lowestoft’s position as a leading centre for offshore wind."

The site in Lowestoft currently occupied by RJ Pryce, which will become the new £8m East Anglia THREE operations and maintenance base for ScottishPower Renewables. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Charlie Jordan, CEO of SPR, said: "Our continued commitment and investment in Lowestoft highlights the town’s role as a powerhouse for the clean energy industry within the East of England region and we’re here to stay."

Ross Ovens added: "It’s really exciting that, six years after we put a spade in the ground and built our EA ONE base in Lowestoft, we’re now increasing our footprint, presence and investment in the town.

"We’re proud to help drive the regeneration of the town and help write the next chapter in Lowestoft’s story – creating a cleaner, greener, brighter and better future."

East Suffolk Council leader Caroline Topping said: "I think this is absolutely great news for Lowestoft - 100 new jobs coming in here.

"It will be great for the local people."

The site in Lowestoft currently occupied by RJ Pryce, which will become the new £8m East Anglia THREE operations and maintenance base for ScottishPower Renewables. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Rachel Bunn, director of East Coast Energy Training Academy, said: “East Coast is excited about the news of ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) further investing in Lowestoft and the surrounding region."