ScottishPower has signed a £1.3bn deal to buy 95 wind turbines for an offshore wind farm off the coast of Norfolk.
The deal, with Siemens Gamesa, will build enough capacity to supply about 1.3 million homes when the wind is blowing.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I am delighted that ScottishPower and [parent company] Iberdrola are investing in the UK – creating thousands of jobs and crucially helping millions of families keep their homes warm with cheaper, renewable energy.
“Encouraging investment in the UK is at the heart of our economic plan and we have one of the most competitive business tax regimes in the world.”
ScottishPower boss Keith Anderson said: “This is the highest value contract ever awarded by Scottish Power and it clearly demonstrates our drive and determination to decarbonise the UK.
“Our agreement with Siemens Gamesa is a massive step forward for East Anglia Three, a project that has been more than 13 years in the making.
“We are now finalising our other contractual commitments so we can all achieve the clean energy future we want – and need.”
Iberdrola executive chairman Ignacio Galan added: “The scale and ambition of this investment will support UK’s commitment to net zero and energy security.”
The East Anglia Three will be constructed in the Southern North Sea, 69km offshore from Great Yarmouth on the Norfolk coast.
The project will support more than 2,300 jobs during the two-year construction period and a further 100 roles in operation and maintenance over the lifetime of the wind farm.
ScottishPower has already placed contracts worth nearly £70m with UK companies and it is estimated that the company will invest over £2bn within the UK to support construction and operation throughout the project’s lifetime.
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