Smulders HSM, a subsidiary of Eiffage Métal, is progressing construction activities for the East Anglia TWO offshore substation topside and jacket foundation following the award of the EPCIC contract by ScottishPower Renewables, part of the Iberdrola Group, in 2025.
Construction of the offshore high-voltage substation topside and its supporting jacket foundation has now formally commenced. The topside fabrication is underway at Smulders HSM’s Stormpolder yard in the Netherlands, and the jacket works have been officially launched at our yard in Newcastle, the UK, marking the next major execution milestone for the project.
The topside will measure approximately 58 x 35 x 30 metres (LxWxH) and weight around 5,100 metric tonnes, while the jacket structure will be approximately 40 x 32 x 58 metres (LxWxH) and weight around 3,450 metric tonnes.
Hans Leerdam, Commercial Director at Smulders HSM, said:
“This moment represents a significant step forward in bringing East Anglia TWO into reality. With the topside now under construction at our Stormpolder yard and the jacket works officially launched in Newcastle, we demonstrate the combined strength of Smulders HSM, delivering safely and efficiently while adding UK local content to the project. Our teams across yards in the Netherlands and the UK are fully engaged and ready to demonstrate the execution excellence this landmark project demands.”
Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO said: “It’s a proud moment to see work underway on the offshore substation for our third windfarm in the southern North Sea, taking us another step closer to a clean energy future for the UK. And how exciting to see the jacket foundation being manufactured just up the coast from where East Anglia TWO will be operating in a couple of years’ time. This is a great example of the difference we’re making – enhancing the UK’s energy security, supporting jobs and unlocking growth – thanks to our commitment to a clean energy future.”
The East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm will be located in the southern North Sea approximately 33 km from the Suffolk coast at its nearest point off Southwold and 37 km from Lowestoft. Once completed, the windfarm is expected to have an installed capacity of up to 960 MW, enough to power the equivalent of around 950,000 homes.
Initial engineering works for the project began in summer 2024 under an early work agreement. Jacket installation is planned for 2027, with the topside installation to follow later in the year.
