L-R: David Muylaert, CEO Smulders; Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO; Michael Shanks, Energy Minister; Jan De Rycker, Director Smulders Projects Belgium & UK

The first steel has been cut in the north-east as manufacturing gets underway for the offshore substation foundation for ScottishPower Renewables’ £4 billion East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm, which will power almost one million UK homes.

The mammoth 3,450mt steel jacket structure is being built at Smulders fabrication yard on the banks of the River Tyne thanks to a contract from the green energy company – which is constructing its third windfarm off the Suffolk coast – worth more than £60 million.

Standing at around 58 metres tall – almost three times the height of the iconic Angel of the North statue – the four-legged, lattice structure jacket will provide the foundation for the 5,100mt offshore high-voltage substation.

The substation will collect and export the clean energy from the 960MW windfarm’s 64 turbines to the UK grid, providing enough power for almost one million homes.

Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks visited the Smulders site to see the works in progress. He said: “It’s great to see manufacturing getting underway here in Newcastle on a project that demonstrates how clean energy is supporting skilled jobs and industrial communities in the north‑east of England.

“Building this right here in the UK highlights the strength of our offshore wind supply chain as we deliver the infrastructure needed for a more secure home‑grown energy system.”

Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO said: “It’s a proud moment to see work underway on our East Anglia TWO jacket foundation just up the coast from where the windfarm will be operating in a couple of years’ time. This investment is a real confidence boost for UK manufacturing and showcases the fantastic facilities and resources we have on our doorstep.

“It’s also 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. And our actions speak volumes, with our offshore wind projects pumping almost £3.5 billion into UK companies while developing, building and operating our East Anglia windfarms.

“Working alongside Smulders HSM’s expert team, I look forward to seeing the East Anglia TWO foundation taking shape here in Newcastle over the coming months before sailing down the North Sea to its new home in the waters off the coast of Suffolk next year.”

Smulders’ Wallsend yard is a former colliery site. Now specialising in the production and final assembly of steel foundations for offshore wind turbines and substations, it’s a great example of how the transition from coal to clean energy is supporting jobs in the north-east and delivering economic growth.

Since 2023, Smulders has invested more than £80 million in its UK site to expand its capacity in offshore wind infrastructure, with around 400 people working on the site at any one time, including 28 apprentices.

Mary Glindon MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend said: “This is excellent news. I have long supported Smulders, a company that is at the cutting edge of offshore wind technology that is vital to the mix of reliable energy supplies for the country and to highly valued jobs in our region."

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, 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.”

The East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm will be located in the southern North Sea approximately 33km from the Suffolk coast at its nearest point off Southwold and 37km to Lowestoft. The project is anticipated to have an operational capacity of up to 960MW, which is enough to power the equivalent of around 950,000 homes.

The jacket foundation is expected to be ready for installation in the southern North Sea in Q3 2027, with the windfarm due to be operational by the end of 2028.