Clarksons To Support RWE’s Vanguard West, Vanguard East From ABP’s New Lowestoft Facility
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Clarksons Port Services has signed an agreement with RWE and Associated British Ports (ABP) for RWE’s Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind projects in the UK.
These three paragraphs add more detail to the story.
Under the agreement, the company will support the construction of the two offshore wind farms from the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF), where Clarksons will lease and operate a facility on behalf of RWE.
ABP officially opened the new port facility in January 2025, after investing GBP 35 million (around EUR 40 million) in the port infrastructure. The facility features deep-water berths, modern utilities and future-proofed infrastructure to support shore power and alternative fuels, according to the port operator.
RWE secured Contracts for Difference (CfDs) for the two offshore wind farms in January this year, when the UK government awarded 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity in the seventh CfD round (AR7).
Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind projects are almost identical 1545 MW projects, that should be commissioned in 2028/29.
The two projects are 47 km. off the coast of Norfolk.
They will bring their power ashore at Happisburgh and connect underground to the grid at a new substation at Necton.
If I was a Norfolk Nimby, I would feel, that RWE are building these wind farms so as not to annoy the neighbours.
- They are a fair way out to sea.
- There appear to be no overhead cables.
- The support will be handled in a purpose-built facility.
Judding by their actions, I do wonder if RWE are getting a shift on, as they would like to get these wind farms built before the 2029 General Election
UK To Launch Seventh CfD Auction In August, Offshore Wind Has Its Own AR7 Timeline
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The UK government has published an indicative timeline for the Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7), stating that it expects to open the auction in August and announce the results between late 2025 and early 2026. The timeline for offshore wind projects is now separate from that for other technologies, which will enable the confirmation of results as soon as possible, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
These first two paragraphs give more details of the Contract for Difference Auction.
The planned AR7 timeline for offshore wind, including both fixed-bottom and floating wind, sets the auction opening date between 7 to 27 August 2025, with results expected to be in from the second half of December 2025 to the second half of February 2026, depending on non-qualifying applicants requesting a Tier 1 review and/or Tier 2 appeal.
Before the launch of the seventh CfD allocation round, the government will publish Clean Industry Bonus results. This is scheduled for June.
I think this is going to be a very different Contract for Difference Auction to those held under the previous Conservative government.
- Will prices be as high?
- Will some regular companies in the auctions not bother to bid?
- Will there be bids for onshore wind in England?
It will be quite, if not very interesting!
The Anonymous Widower 