ScottishPower makes Lowestoft its long-term home as it plans to expand with new £8m site in Trinity Road
A coastal town is to become the long-term home of ScottishPower’s offshore wind operations after the company revealed plans for a multi-million pound expansion.
The energy company is investing around £8 million to acquire and develop a site in Trinity Road, Lowestoft.
RJ Pryce - a supplier of plumbing, building, and engineering equipment which has been trading in the town for more than 125 years and currently occupies the site - will move to a nearby location.
The new site will be close to the company’s current operations and maintenance base for the East Anglia One offshore windfarm.
The current site, in Hamilton Road, is on land owned by Associated British Ports at Lowestoft Port, which will continue to operate on its existing 30-year lease.
Charlie Jordan, CEO of Scottish Power Renewables (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.
“We’re operating, building and developing windfarms that will power cleaner and greener lives for millions of people – and deliver huge environmental and economic benefits – for decades to come.
“This is a brilliant boost for the town and the wider East Anglia region and confirms its status as the home and heart of our offshore wind operations in the UK.”
The Trinity Road development is expected to have capacity for about 100 staff members.
It will provide an operations and maintenance base for the East Anglian Three offshore windfarm, which is currently being built and due to be opened by 2026.
The director of RJ Pryce, Stuart Pryce, welcomed the investment, saying the move to the new premises will allow the company to improve its services.
Jess Asato, Lowestoft’s MP, added the decision to establish Lowestoft as ScottishPower’s long-term hub will bring economic opportunities for the town.
She said: “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 is a key step toward regenerating Lowestoft and positioning it as a leader in the clean energy industry.”
