Lowestoft unveils US$43 million offshore energy hub

Associated British Ports (ABP), a UK port operator, welcomed the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, to the Port of Lowestoft on 23 January 2025.

The occasion marked the official opening of the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF), a transformative US$43 million development, which included US$2.8 million in funding from the Town’s Fund. This state-of-the-art port infrastructure is specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry.

Henrik Pedersen, ABP Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ed Miliband to officially open LEEF. This facility is a physical example of ABP’s commitment to enabling the energy transition. Ports are a crucial foundation, not just for delivering the energy transition, but also for realising investment and jobs for the UK. We look forward to working in partnership with industry to make it a success and deliver jobs, opportunity and prosperity for Lowestoft.”

The LEEF project plays a crucial role in positioning Lowestoft, the UK’s most easterly town, as a key hub for supporting the region’s offshore energy sector while reinforcing ABP’s pivotal contribution to the energy transition.

Michael Gordon, Commercial Director and CCO, North Star, mentioned: “We were delighted to welcome Ed Miliband on board our state-of-the-art SOV today to discuss the importance vessels such as these in delivering energy independence for the UK and Europe in the coming decade. With North Star perfectly positioned to do this as a UK company expanding into Europe, we thank Ed Miliband and his wider team for taking the time to come on board to learn about our exciting business.”

Furthermore, the facility boasts enhanced quay space and deep-water berths, equipped with modern bunkering, water, and electricity connections. These advanced features are tailored to support Operations & Maintenance (O&M) activities and construction support for the offshore energy industry, with the facilities having been fully operational since September 2024.

The LEEF development is the latest milestone in ABP’s strong track record of port investments, with approximately US$1.2 billion invested over the past five years. Looking ahead, ABP has an ambitious pipeline of major projects, with a significant focus on supporting the green energy transition.

This positions ABP as a key driver of the UK’s journey toward net zero. Plans include a US$620 million investment in South Wales to transform the Port of Port Talbot into a hub for manufacturing, installation, and supply chain activities within the Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) sector.

Additionally, the Immingham Green Energy Terminal aims to unlock billions of pounds in investment for green hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture and storage infrastructure.

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