ScottishPower Renewables and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC–Masdar have achieved a major construction milestone at the East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm, completing the installation of all 95 foundations off the Suffolk coast. The £4 billion joint venture project represents a significant engineering accomplishment in European offshore wind development.
The installed monopiles are among the largest ever placed from a jack-up vessel in Europe, ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 tonnes in weight and standing between 67 and 84 metres tall with diameters up to 10.6 metres. Additionally, all 95 transition pieces, each measuring 20 metres in height, 8 metres in diameter, and weighing more than 400 tonnes, have been successfully installed. The project’s contractor, Seaway7, delivered the foundation installation campaign using its jack-up vessel, Seaway Ventus, marking the vessel’s first completed foundation installation campaign.
With foundation work complete, the project is progressing toward full operational status by the end of 2026. Turbine installation is already underway, with the project featuring 95 turbines equipped with 115-metre blades, described as the largest built and used in the UK. Once operational, East Anglia THREE will generate 1.4 gigawatts of clean power, sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 1.3 million homes.
The project encompasses nearly £2 billion invested in the UK supply chain, supporting manufacturing partnerships and regional suppliers. Construction activities are currently supporting 2,300 jobs, with approximately 100 long-term positions expected during the operational phase. The wind farm is the second project developed through Masdar and Iberdrola’s €15 billion strategic partnership and represents Masdar’s first 50:50 offshore wind joint venture with ScottishPower in the UK.
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