RWE has signed a commercial agreement with Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, and Clarksons Port Services, to support its Vanguard East and West offshore wind projects in Norfolk.
The agreement confirms the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) as the construction and commissioning support base for the Vanguard projects in the Southern North Sea. The facility will support at least three Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and potentially up to six Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) until mid-2030. It will also handle all crew management, vessel movements and port servicing for teams managing construction and commissioning of the wind farms.
The projects are being constructed by RWE on behalf of its partnership with KKR. Once fully operational, the Vanguard West and East projects will have a combined installed capacity of almost 3 gigawatts (GW), and will be capable of generating enough electricity to power around 3 million typical UK homes.
Jon Darling, RWE Offshore Project Director, Vanguard said: “This agreement marks an important step in progressing our Vanguard East and West 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, ensuring the Vanguard projects stay on track and operate to their maximum capacity once fully constructed.”
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero‘s Minister for Industry Chris McDonald said: "Windfarms generate power and support jobs both on and offshore. This agreement will help the Port of Lowestoft expand in tandem with the growing offshore wind industry, supporting clean energy job opportunities in East Anglia.
"That's what our clean power mission is all about - backing secure, homegrown energy that brings growth and jobs to Britain."
RWE’s decision to use the Port of Lowestoft follows ABP’s investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure, which has established the site as a leading offshore energy hub. LEEF is a £35 million project, providing deep-water berths, 350m of upgraded quayside, six CTV berths with modern utilities and up to eight acres of operational space. It was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, in January 2025, marking a major step in Lowestoft’s role in the UK’s energy transition.
As part of RWE’s contract, ABP is commissioning a new 2,000m² warehouse at LEEF and preparing the Outer Harbour for further growth with new pontoons to manage rising CTV activity. Clarksons Port Services will lease and operate the facility on behalf of RWE. These improvements further strengthen the port’s capabilities, support long-term jobs, and demonstrate confidence in the area as offshore activity expands.
Today’s announcement coincides with a local jobs fair – the Festival of Careers, organised by Menta, East Coast Energy Training Academy and East Suffolk Council, with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and attended by RWE. The event focuses on green, clean energy jobs, reflecting the growing demand for offshore wind roles in the region and highlights how developments like the Vanguard projects are creating long-term opportunities for local people.
Images for media use (credit: RWE) are available from the RWE Media Centre.
Further information about the RWE Norfolk Vanguard projects can be found here.
