Peel Ports has kicked-off construction works at Great Yarmouth to prepare the facility for upcoming offshore wind projects.

The works include the delivery of a yard storage and marshalling area as well as heavy-lift quay facilities. They are expected to be completed by early 2017, the port owner said.

The new facilities will support the construction of ScottishPower Renewables' 714MW East Anglia 1 and Innogy SE's 336MW Galloper offshore wind farms.

Siemens will supply 56 six-megawatt turbines for the Galloper project and 102 seven-megawatt turbines for the East Anglia 1 plant.

It selected the Norfolk port as the assembly and installation base for the machines in April.

SPR also chose Great Yarmouth as its port of choice for the Galloper project this year.

“The start of these works marks significant progress in our plans to grow and diversify our offering at Great Yarmouth within the energy sector,” Peel Ports Great Yarmouth port director Richard Goffin said.

“These planned infrastructure investments will benefit future wind farm developments and the wider energy sector for many years to come.”

SPR's project director for East Anglia 1 Charlie Jordan said: “Peel Ports Great Yarmouth will be integral to the successful delivery of East Anglia ONE, which will be one of the largest offshore wind farms to go in to construction anywhere in the world. “

Image: Peel Port Great Yarmouth (ScottishPower)