Port of Lowestoft secured by RWE for wind construction

The Port of Lowestoft will serve as the construction support base for RWE’s Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms in the Southern North Sea.

This is thanks to a new commercial agreement between Associated British Ports (ABP), RWE and Clarksons Port Services.

Port of Lowestoft Image: ABP

Paul Ager, divisional port manager (East Anglia) at ABP, said: "ABP is delighted with this new partnership with RWE and Clarksons Port Services, which strengthens the port’s role in construction support and confirms the value of the investment ABP has made in the Port of Lowestoft.

"We are excited to start preparing the Outer Harbour for further growth, including new pontoons and the LEEF warehouse, which will support increased CTV and SOV activity for years to come."

The deal confirms the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) as the construction support base for the projects.

LEEF was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, in January 2025.

Paul Ager (left) and Jon Darling

RWE has secured up to three Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and three Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) for the construction phase.

The Norfolk Vanguard West and East wind farms will together deliver 3.1GW of capacity, enough to power around three million UK homes.

Jon Darling, RWE offshore project director for Vanguard, said: "This agreement marks an important step in progressing our Vanguard West and East projects.

"Lowestoft offers the location and capability we need for the delivery of the construction phase, while the new warehouse in the Outer Harbour will ensure our teams are well supported as activity ramps up across the Southern North Sea."

Clarksons Port Services will lease and operate the new 2,000m² warehouse at LEEF on behalf of RWE.