Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading and best-connected ports company, is proud to announce a significant update in the construction of its Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF). As unveiled by ABP’s Head of Offshore Wind, Andy Reay, during his presentation at the East of England Energy Group’s (EEEGR) SNS conference, the construction of LEEF is now well-underway and on track to be fully operational by October 2024.
The LEEF project represents a substantial investment of approximately £35 million by ABP, supported by the Town’s Fund. This state-of-the-art infrastructure project is designed to cater to the current and future demands of the offshore energy industry, specifically in operations and maintenance (O&M) as well as construction support activities.
Key features of the LEEF development include:
- 345m quayside: Equipped with three 7.5m draft deep water berths to accommodate a variety of vessels.
- Berth utilities: Fuel, water and power will be directly supplied to the berths, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted operations.
- CTV berths: Six Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) berths, each with access to water, power, and bunkers, to support offshore crew logistics.
- Operational and storage land: Up to six acres of land beyond the quayside dedicated to operational and storage needs.
Andy Reay, Head of Offshore Wind at ABP, stated, “The development of LEEF underscores ABP’s commitment to investing in the infrastructure necessary for the offshore energy sector. This facility will significantly boost the capacity and efficiency of operations and maintenance activities, ensuring that we meet the evolving demands of this dynamic industry.”
Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport & Economic Development, said: “This is fantastic news, securing Lowestoft’s position as a leading hub for clean energy. It is a real vote of confidence in the town, and East Suffolk Council is delighted to have worked with and supported ABP, as part of the Towns Deal, to enable this transformational change.
“The LEEF is an exemplar project which has also been recognised by the The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for the highly effective and successful planning process between ABP, East Suffolk Council and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
“It is a great example of partnership working and we are delighted to have played our part.”
The LEEF project is set to position Lowestoft as a key hub for the offshore energy industry, providing the necessary infrastructure to support the region’s growth and sustainability efforts. ABP’s investment in LEEF highlights the strategic importance of Lowestoft in the broader context of the UK’s energy landscape.
