The donation – which will go towards the costs for the Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve’s site manager over the next two years – was confirmed as colleagues from ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm paid a visit to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust site near Ipswich.

Edward Rees, East Anglia THREE Community Liaison Officer, said: “Our commitment to bring more homegrown clean energy to life aligns with Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s ambition for Martlesham Wilds as a positive green legacy for our shared future. We are proud that while our East Anglia THREE and TWO offshore windfarms continue to grow off the Suffolk coast, so too will Martlesham Wilds, and it has been great to visit the reserve and get up close to the amazing wildlife on our doorstep.” 

Situated on the banks of the River Deben and covering 289 acres, Suffolk Wildlife Trust began to return Martlesham Wilds to nature in 2023. 

Alex Downing, Philanthropy & Fundraising Manager for Suffolk Wildlife Trust, commented: “We are very grateful to ScottishPower Renewables for their support with this donation as this fantastic mosaic of natural habitat, saltmarsh and ancient woodland starts to thrive.”

SPR has been generating renewable energy for East Anglia since 2020 with its East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm. Two more windfarms are set to come into operation by the end of 2028, with the projects collectively generating enough homegrown clean energy to power more than three million homes.

The clean, green energy from East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm will travel under Martlesham Creek on its way to connect to the grid. 

Edward added: “ScottishPower is focused on making a real difference to communities in East Anglia. With our windfarms set to power more than three million homes for decades, our donation to Suffolk Wildlife Trust will further grow the lasting legacy of our projects and deliver positive benefits for local people for years to come.”

Martlesham Wilds sits within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and across from the burial set of Anglo-Saxon royalty at Sutton Hoo. Incorporating salt marsh, woodland and reedbeds, birds including curlew, shelduck, lapwing and redshank are frequent visitors. More walkers are expected since the opening of the new King Charles III England Coastal Path last month as the route crosses through the site.