ABP strengthens Lowestoft as offshore energy hub

Associated British Ports (ABP) has signed a new commercial agreement with RWE and Clarksons Port Services to reinforce the Port of Lowestoft’s role as East Anglia’s offshore energy hub.

The agreement designates the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) as the construction support base for RWE’s Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms in the Southern North Sea.

LEEF, officially opened by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband in January 2025, marks a key milestone in Lowestoft’s contribution to the UK’s energy transition.

ABP, supported by the Town’s Fund, has invested in modern infrastructure to position Lowestoft as a leading offshore energy centre.

LEEF, a £35 million ($46 million) project, offers deep-water berths, 350 metres of upgraded quayside, six CTV berths with modern utilities, and up to eight acres of operational space.

To support RWE’s contract, ABP is commissioning a new 2,000 square metres (m²) warehouse and preparing the Outer Harbour with additional pontoons for rising CTV activity.

Clarksons Port Services will lease and operate the facility for RWE. These upgrades enhance the port’s capabilities, secure long-term jobs, and demonstrate confidence in the area as offshore work grows.

RWE will base the Vanguard construction programme at Lowestoft, deploying up to three Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and three Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) over multiple years.

This confirms the value of ABP and Clarksons’ investments and strengthens Lowestoft as a strategic base for Southern North Sea offshore wind.

Once operational, Norfolk Vanguard West and East will add 3.1 GW of capacity, enough to power around three million UK homes.

Jon Darling, RWE Offshore Project Director, 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 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.”

Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager (East Anglia) at ABP, added: “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 our investment in Lowestoft. We are 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.”

Recently, two major Canadian pension investors prepared a potential exit from ABP, a move that could have valued the UK’s largest ports operator at more than £10 billion ($13.6 billion).