Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) with visualisation of new warehouse facility. Indicative only.
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, has signed a new commercial agreement with RWE, the UK’s leading power generator, and Clarksons Port Services, a leading provider of integrated logistics management services, that strengthens the Port of Lowestoft’s role as the offshore energy hub for East Anglia.
The agreement confirms the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) as the construction support base for the Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms in the Southern North Sea. LEEF 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.
ABP has invested, with support from the Town’s Fund, in state-of-the-art infrastructure to establish Lowestoft as a leading offshore energy hub. LEEF is a £35 million project, which provides deep-water berths, 350m of upgraded quayside, six CTV berths with modern utilities and up to eight acres of operational space. To support the RWE 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 show clear confidence in the area as offshore work expands.
RWE has selected Lowestoft for the Vanguard construction programme, securing up to three Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and three Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) over multiple years. This decision confirms the strength of the investment made by ABP and Clarksons and reinforces Lowestoft’s position as a strategic base for Southern North Sea offshore wind.
Once complete, the Norfolk Vanguard West and Norfolk East projects will add 3.1 GW of capacity and generate enough electricity to power around 3 million UK homes.
Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald said: "Windfarms generate power and support jobs both on and offshore. This agreement will help the Port of Lowestoft grow alongside the offshore wind sector, 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."
Jon Darling, RWE Offshore Project Director, Vanguard, said: “This agreement marks an important step in progressing our Vanguard West and East 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. Working with ABP and Clarksons Port Services strengthens our long-term presence in the region and supports our continued investment in offshore wind to deliver clean, secure energy for the UK.”
Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft welcomed the news commenting: “RWE’s decision to base the Vanguard construction programme in Lowestoft shows the strength of the investment made in LEEF and the confidence major employers have in our town. This agreement brings long-term jobs, new skills and real economic opportunity to local people, and it confirms Lowestoft’s growing role at the heart of the UK’s clean energy industry.”
Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager (East Anglia) at ABP said: “ABP is delighted with this new partnership with RWE and Clarksons Port Services, which strengthens the port’s role in construction support and confirms the value of the investment ABP has made in the Port of Lowestoft. We are excited to start preparing the Outer Harbour for further growth, including new pontoons and the LEEF warehouse, which will support increased CTV and SOV activity for years to come.”
ABP and Clarksons Port Services have a long partnership at Lowestoft that already supports offshore energy projects. This new agreement positions the port to support the next wave of offshore energy growth across East Anglia.
Innes Cameron, Managing Director at Clarkson Port Services said: “We are delighted to have signed contracts with RWE and ABP for the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility. This marks a positive step forward for the region and reflects the strength of our partnership. By working together, we are supporting the continued development of Lowestoft as an important hub for the offshore energy sector and contributing to long-term opportunities for the local economy and supply chain.”
The announcement also comes as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero plans a local careers fair focused on green energy and skills development. The timing aligns with growing demand for offshore wind roles in the region and highlights how LEEF is helping create long-term opportunities for local people.
