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East Anglia One is a large offshore wind farm under construction by Scottish Power Renewables, forming part of the wider East Anglia Array. Once complete, up to 102 wind turbines with a 7MW generation capacity will power many homes for years to come.
We have been delivering a range of services for the EA One scheme since 2012. Our experienced teams have been embedded within the client team to ensure high value outcomes and low risks for the project, from procurement through to operations and maintenance and continue to play a key part in the development of the project.
Using data to avoid programme risks
Our involvement with Scottish Power Renewables began in 2012 when we undertook a foundation concept role. We then undertook ecology and mitigation studies for the construction of 37km of onshore cabling, whilst taking into consideration how seasonality could cause potential programme delays. We used GIS data-capture technology, remote image recording and a range of ecological field surveys to help progress the project to the next stage.
Project Summary
73km of seabed export cables
714MWtotal generation capacity
800tonnejacket foundations
Installation on the seabed, in an average water depth of 45 meters
Developing a resilient programme
The offshore construction and installation for EA One is underway and will be completed by 2020 - ensuring that the programme is set up for success was a crucial element for Scottish Power Renewables. Since 2015 we’ve worked to reduce the procurement risk associated with the £2.6bn offshore installation and used this as an opportunity to identify cost savings.
Our risk engineering experts worked with various contractors including substation and cabling contractors to obtain frequent updates, ensuring all possible risks were recorded with a contingency value assigned to it whilst mitigating wider project risks. Our role in managing and avoiding risk supported senior leaders in decision making for next project steps.
Providing technical expertise 30 miles offshore: the jacket foundations during installation.
Understanding the technical requirements and adding value
Our experienced maritime and ports team successfully integrated with the client team on site, this has enabled collaboration and efficient ways of working. As one collaborative team, we have overseen the assessment, procurement and specification of upgrade works for facilities for construction management, operations and maintenance, foundations marshalling and wind turbine assembly.
We conducted in-depth reviews of the supply chain logistics for each facility, along with technical reviews of the existing infrastructure and scoping and costing of new infrastructure. This allowed us to establish significant areas to avoid project risks and minimise cost – we helped to reduce risk associated with £40m+ of ports contracts, and more critically the impact on the wider project.
Our maritime experts assessed ports across the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands for their technical and commercial abilities before final negotiations and agreements with the Ports of Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Vlissingen.
Being an integral part of the client team allowed us to determine the technical requirements for a foundation marshalling port. Following a specific approach to the selection, our team worked with the chosen port contractor to refine the layout plan as well as the load-in/load-out processes. This enables the accommodation of:
• 36 800 tonne jacket foundations standing 65m tall
• 100 piles weighing up to 144 tonnes, ranging in length from 39-55 metres
One-stop-shop for concept design
The operation and maintenance of a wind farm is key to ensuring secure and resilient energy. We established the reference design for a three-storey mixed use office and warehouse including a marine coordination centre, offshore personnel terminal and a critical spares warehouse – essential to the day to day running of the whole development.
As part of our procurement role, we identified risks on behalf and navigated the client through any construction tender issues. We worked to optimise requirements and keep estimated construction costs within the available budget.
Supporting essential day-to-day operations and maintenance
The new operations and maintenance building will support the daily operations of the windfarm. The base, completed in October 2019, is conveniently situated quayside for easy access to crew transfer vessels, which transports maintenance teams to the wind farm in the North Sea. Around 100 people will be employed full-time at the base when East Anglia One is completed, and the thousands of contractors and supply chain operators using the site every year will contribute substantially to the local economy.
“The starting of construction on our new operations and maintenance building in Lowestoft is a landmark moment for the East Anglia One project and shows our commitment to the local area. The new operations and maintenance facility, will be a hive of activity for engineers and technicians, the base for marine operations, specialist offices and warehousing. It will also help to support the offshore phase of construction work on the windfarm, as well as the 30-plus years operational lifespan of the project. ” Charlie Jordan Scottish Power Renewables Project Director for East Anglia One
Innovation across a large programme
With many components to the EA One development, we further supported the client using our detailed design skills. We undertook a feasibility study to assess innovative materials that could be used to construct an offshore wind demonstration platform on behalf of Scottish Power Renewables.
“Once finished, Scottish Power Renewables’ entire development will power up to 2 million homes with affordable, low carbon and secure energy – a significant step for the UK energy market. ”
James Theobalds Director
Delivering across the wider East Anglia Array
With the development forming the first part of the wider East Anglia Array development - totalling four sites in close proximity, all at different phases - Arup specialists from across the UK have been involved to ensure wider project success.
We continue to work with Scottish Power Renewables including developing succinct contractor employer’s requirements for the EA Three OFTO network transmission assets. Our offshore design specialists have also been carrying out feasibility studies for suction bucket technology to be used as a potential foundation option for the next project phase.
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