East Anglia One to Create New Working Positions

The East Anglia ONE project, which is the first in England and Wales to be approved from the Crown Estate’s Round Three Process, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and boost the region’s economy.

It is anticipated that the development, the first of six potential projects in the East Anglia Zone, could support up to 2,700 jobs across the UK during the construction phase, representing more than £170m for the UK economy for each year of construction. More than 1,600 construction jobs could be supported in the East Anglia region alone, adding over £100m to the regional economy annually during construction.

Scottish Power Renewables and Vattenfall expect that up to 170 engineers and technicians would be required to provide operations and maintenance support for the project once completed. These jobs could be required for more than 20 years, potentially adding over £10m to the local economy on an annual basis.

In total, for the three years of construction and 20-plus years of operation for East Anglia ONE the region’s economy could be boosted by £500m and see nearly 1,800 jobs supported or secured.

During the planning process alone, more than £15m of contracts have been awarded to local companies working on the project and a £17m contract was awarded to Wood Group of Aberdeen for the construction and installation of weather monitoring masts.

East Anglia Offshore Wind will now accelerate its contact with the supply chain and detailed negotiations will also take place to determine the Ports which could support the project. Following a final investment decision, it is anticipated that onshore construction could begin in 2017, with offshore work starting in 2018 and first power generation achieved in 2019.

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: “This is the largest renewable energy project ever to receive planning consent in England and Wales, and it is a significant achievement to see our plans approved, and an important step forward towards a final investment decision. Our project team has spent more than three years planning the details of this project, and consulting widely with communities and stakeholders across the East Anglia region.  

“We will now take forward our discussions with the supply chain as we work towards unlocking the significant economic potential of the project. East Anglia ONE could support thousands of skilled jobs in construction and operation, and make a positive impact on the local and national economy for decades to come.”   

Gunnar Groebler, head of Vattenfall’s Continental/UK renewables division, said: “The UK is a world leader in offshore wind and if it is to maintain that position it must continue reducing costs if the sector is to have a long term future.  The investment in competitive UK and regional supply chains is essential to cost reduction in the sector but that investment will only be made if there is a pipeline of projects. Therefore the consent of a scheme like East Anglia ONE – which should be warmly welcomed by everyone – will boost business confidence and help secure more affordable, more reliable and greener power in the UK electricity mix.”  

Huubden Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at The Crown Estate said: “Today’s planning consent for East Anglia ONE is another great example of how the offshore wind sector continues to go from strength to strength. As one of the largest renewables projects to get consent in England and Wales, this announcement represents a great opportunity for UK jobs and the transition to a low carbon economy. In our role as manager of the UK seabed we are delighted to see such positive decisions coming through the planning process that will helpcement the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind.” 

The planned development is for up to 240 wind turbines to be installed across an area of 300 km2 in the southern North Sea. The project could power the annual electricity demands of around 820,000 homes.