Photo by Nicholas Doherty
Seatrium Offshore Renewable Services (ORS) has started construction of a new strategic operations hub in Lowestoft, investing in a facility that will underpin its delivery of major European offshore wind programmes, including four converter platforms for grid operator TenneT and ongoing work on RWE’s Sofia wind farm.
A hub for a growing pipeline
The company has started construction of a new offshore wind operations hub in Lowestoft, UK, according to offshoreWIND.biz, with the investment strengthening Seatrium ORS’ operational capability as demand grows for offshore project delivery, hook-up, commissioning, logistics and lifecycle support services across the sector. The Suffolk facility will support the company’s work on four of TenneT’s 2GW Programme offshore converter platform projects in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as its ongoing role on RWE’s 1.4GW Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK North Sea, and other projects in its pipeline, extending into the next decade, according to Energy Global reports and renews.
A ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction on what 4C Offshore describes as a contemporary two-storey, glass-fronted building designed to accommodate around 100 people. Seatrium plans to grow its Lowestoft workforce by between 30 and 40 people while continuing to expand its wider offshore personnel and contractor network. More than 90% of the construction contracts for the new building have gone to companies based in Suffolk and Norfolk, and the development will preserve part of the site’s industrial heritage by incorporating the floor of the former paint-blasting workshops into the new structure.
Backing the UK’s role in European offshore wind
Colin Yaxley, Managing Director of Seatrium Offshore Renewable Services, said: “Demand for specialist offshore renewable services continues to grow across Europe and this investment ensures we are well positioned to support our customers wherever they are delivering projects. Working alongside the wider Seatrium Group, we provide offshore project delivery and lifecycle services across the full operational life of offshore renewable assets. This new hub strengthens our capability, supports future growth and provides the platform to continue investing in our people and operational excellence,” he told Energy Global.
Dr Stephen Lu, Chief Financial Officer of Seatrium Ltd, added: “This investment reinforces Seatrium’s commitment to the offshore renewable energy market and strengthens our ability to support customers across Europe. By expanding our operational footprint, we enhance collaboration with clients and partners while building on Seatrium’s integrated engineering, procurement, construction and lifecycle capabilities to support the continued growth of offshore renewable energy.”
Part of a wider TenneT push
The Lowestoft investment follows a run of contract wins tied to TenneT’s 2GW offshore grid expansion programme, through which Seatrium has been delivering high-voltage direct current converter platforms for the Dutch and German transmission system operator. offshoreWIND.biz notes that the company’s Offshore Renewable Services business has also been supporting offshore construction and commissioning activities on Sofia, where all 100 turbines were recently installed. The new hub is intended to give Seatrium the additional space and capacity it needs to service that pipeline as it continues to grow.