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The first of 102 turbines has been installed at the East Anglia One offshore windfarm located 43 kilometres off the coast Suffolk.
The Siemens Gamesa turbines will each produce up to 7MW of electricity at any given moment, giving the windfarm a total capacity of 714MW.
All 306 turbine blades will be produced at the company’s new purpose-built factory in Hull.
The windfarm has been developed by Scottish Power Renewables.
The project director Charles Jordan said: “The installation of East Anglia One’s first turbine is a very important milestone for the project and a huge step forward towards completion of the windfarm.
“East Anglia One is already providing a significant boost to the local economy with over £70 million being committed to date to companies across the East of England and further opportunities as the project becomes operational.
“Through the development of East Anglia One, we are not only providing cleaner energy but an array of training and job opportunities for this generation and the next.”
In preparation for the £2.5 billion project, Scottish Power Renewables has invested £25 million in the construction of a “state-of-the-art” operations and maintenance at Hamilton Dock in Lowestoft which is due to be completed by the end of this year.
The company has also co-invested £5 million in Peel Ports Great Yarmouth – the harbour where the turbine components are being pre-assembled and loaded onto ships.
Port director Richard Goffin said: “It is fantastic to see the investment into offshore renewables being made in our region. With the industry booming, and recent announcements made by the Crown Estate on potential future expansion, Great Yarmouth is at the forefront of the offshore sector, with tremendous potential to grow.
“To date, Peel Ports have invested £12 million to extend the outer harbour to supply offshore projects, with further expansion planned. We are proud to support the growth of the sector by providing a platform for projects such as East Anglia One”.
Graham Plant, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, commented: “This new windfarm is a powerful symbol of how we are all working together on a green industrial revolution which will transform Great Yarmouth’s future, boost Norfolk’s economy and play our part in tackling climate change.”
East Anglia One was awarded a strike price of almost £120/MWh (2012 prices) in the first competitive allocation round in 2015.
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