ScottishPower Renewables (renewable energy developer) and Masdar (renewable energy company) have set a new UK offshore wind record at the East Anglia THREE windfarm, completing the installation of the first turbine to feature 115-meter blades, the longest ever manufactured and deployed in UK waters.

The milestone marks a significant moment in the development of one of the most ambitious offshore wind projects currently under construction in British waters.

A Record-Breaking First Turbine

The 115-meter blades fitted to the first turbine at East Anglia THREE are seven meters longer than the previous UK record of 108 meters, which was also set using Siemens Gamesa technology.

Each blade exceeds the length of a Premier League football pitch, and the turbines themselves stand approximately 262 meters tall — higher than the observation deck at the Shard in London.

The turbines are 14-megawatt Siemens Gamesa units with a rotor diameter of 236 meters. According to the developers, a single revolution of one turbine generates enough electricity to power a UK home for more than four days, charge around 1,700 mobile phones, or brew nearly a thousand cups of tea.

Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, described the installation as a defining moment. "East Anglia THREE will be the biggest and most powerful offshore wind farm in our portfolio.

That means billions of pounds invested in UK and global supply chains; thousands of jobs supported during construction; more than a hundred long-term roles created in the East of England; and greater energy security, with more clean power coming on to the grid than ever before," he said.

UK Manufacturing at the Center of the Project

All 285 blades required for the project's 95 turbines are being manufactured at Siemens Gamesa's factory in Hull. The facility currently employs more than 1,400 people and also runs an apprenticeship scheme aimed at training the next generation of workers in the offshore wind sector.

Darren Davidson, UK Head of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, called the blades a landmark for the industry. "These are the biggest blades ever built for a project in UK waters — a real landmark for offshore wind. We're proud that these record-breaking blades have been manufactured at our factory in Hull," he said.

The decision to manufacture all blades domestically reflects a broader emphasis on building a homegrown supply chain capable of supporting the UK's offshore wind ambitions. The East Anglia THREE project carries a total investment value of USD 4.98 billion.

Scale and Clean Energy Potential

When fully operational, the East Anglia THREE windfarm will have a generating capacity of 1.4 gigawatts and is expected to produce enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1.3 million British homes. Located off the Suffolk coast, it is set to become one of the largest offshore wind farms anywhere in the world upon completion.

The project is a joint venture between ScottishPower Renewables, its parent company Iberdrola, and Abu Dhabi-based clean energy company Masdar. Husain Al Meer, Director of Global Offshore Wind at Masdar, said the first turbine installation represented a monumental achievement.

"We see tremendous potential for offshore wind, not just in the UK but across the wider European market, where offshore wind can provide critical energy security, power economic progress, and help nations achieve their clean energy objectives," he said.

Vessel Deployment and Installation Programme

The first turbine installation was carried out using Cadeler's O-class jack-up vessel Wind Osprey. The installation program is set to expand later in April with the arrival of Cadeler's next-generation P-class vessel Wind Pace, which will make its first deployment in European waters as part of the East Anglia THREE campaign.

Cadeler CEO Mikkel Gleerup said deploying two vessels in parallel would help maintain a consistent and efficient installation pace. "This also marks Wind Pace's first project in European waters since her delivery last year. Built to install the next generation of turbines, she brings increased capacity and operational flexibility, enhancing installation efficiency and supporting a more streamlined program," he said.

The use of two vessels simultaneously represents a deliberate strategy to sustain momentum throughout what is expected to be a lengthy installation campaign, given the scale of the 95-turbine project.

Industry and Energy Security Implications

The East Anglia THREE project is being positioned by its developers not only as a commercial undertaking but as a contribution to the UK's broader energy security objectives.

ScottishPower Renewables has emphasized the role of the wind farm in increasing the volume of domestically generated clean power reaching the grid, reducing dependence on imported energy sources.

Al Meer's comments pointed to wider ambitions beyond the UK, suggesting that the lessons and technologies demonstrated at East Anglia THREE could have relevance for offshore wind development across Europe.

The project is taking place against a backdrop of growing political and economic pressure across European nations to accelerate the buildout of renewable energy infrastructure.

The completion of the first turbine at East Anglia THREE, announced on 21 April 2026, signals that the project has moved from its preparatory phases into active offshore construction, with the installation of the remaining 94 turbines expected to follow as the campaign continues through the coming months.

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