Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is the preferred bidder to supply and install the wind turbines for ScottishPower Renewables’ has £6.5 billion East Anglia Hub offshore wind programme.The two companies worked together to deliver the East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm, which was completed last year.
More than 200 next generation 14+MW turbines are planned for SPR’s East Anglia ONE North, TWO and THREE projects in the southern North Sea – collectively known as the East Anglia Hub.SPR and SGRE have agreed to work together ahead of the next Contracts for Difference auction – scheduled for later this year – to optimise the projects, with the ambition of then signing turbine supply and installation agreements.
The companies said the early decision on a preferred bidder creates the opportunity for SPR and SGRE to develop the turbine design and the Hub programme hand in hand.
East Anglia ONE supported almost 3,500 jobs at the peak of construction and delivered 100 long-term skilled jobs. The companies say more than half the supply chain came from the UK market, including manufacturing turbine blades in the UK and supporting jobs within local ports, including Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
SPR is part of the Iberdrola Group.Jonathan Cole, offshore managing director of Iberdrola Renewables said: “Taking advantage of the most innovative technology available to ensure East Anglia Hub is home to some of the biggest and most productive turbines on the market would allow us to realise even greater economies of scale, helping to deliver a cleaner and greener future for us all.”
The initial 1,400MW of power to be generated through the Hub projects via East Anglia THREE has secured planning consent. Planning applications for East Anglia ONE North (800MW) and East Anglia TWO (900MW) are currently being examined by the UK Planning Inspectorate. Subject to the outcome of the planning considerations, construction of the East Anglia Hub is expected to commence in 2023, with completion in 2026.
Further reading
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Application window opens for bidding on seabed rights for offshore wind in Scottish waters
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