ScottishPower Renewables has successfully installed its first-ever High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) offshore converter station at the East Anglia THREE windfarm. The installation was completed last week at the site located approximately 69km off the Suffolk coast.

Engineering Specifications and Scale

The HVDC converter station represents a significant engineering achievement, weighing 10,700 tonnes and standing at 7 storeys. The module measures approximately 70 metres long, 34 metres wide, and 48 meters high, making it heavier than the Eiffel Tower and taller than the Statue of Liberty. According to the company, this module is the largest ever constructed across the Iberdrola Group.

The station's primary function is to convert electricity from the windfarm's 95 turbines from high-voltage alternating current (AC) to direct current. The GBP 4 billion East Anglia THREE project marks the first of ScottishPower Renewables' offshore wind farms to use HVDC technology, which is considered the most efficient way to transmit power over long distances.

Installation Process and Construction Journey

The installation was carried out using the world's biggest crane vessel, the Heerema Marine Contractors' SSCV Sleipnir. This same vessel had previously installed the offshore jacket foundations for the project earlier in the summer.

The module's construction involved an extensive international journey. Fabrication was completed in Mangalia, Romania, in mid-2024. Following completion, the structure sailed over 3,800 nautical miles to Aker Solutions' fabrication yard in Stord, Norway, for completion work. Siemens Energy supplied the power transmission technology installed inside the module.

Project Capacity and Timeline

East Anglia THREE will operate at 1.4 GW capacity, making it the largest wind farm in the Iberdrola group and among the largest in the world. The project is scheduled to come into operation at the end of 2026, with the capacity to produce enough clean energy to power more than 1 million homes.

Industry Response and Partnerships

Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, characterized the installation as “testament to the hard work of our teams and suppliers to deliver such a complex feat of engineering.” He described it as “a significant milestone for our East Anglia THREE project as we progress towards completion at the end of 2026.”

Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I, noted that “East Anglia THREE is our first HVDC grid access project to be delivered in the UK.” He explained that “HVDC enables efficient long-distance power transmission with reduced losses, supporting the UK's grid stability” and emphasized that “together, we're delivering clean energy from the North Sea to power people's homes.”

EVP Sturla Magnus of Aker Solutions highlighted that “East Anglia THREE marks Aker Solutions' second HVDC delivery this year and is a clear example of our ability to execute large and complex energy projects.” He expressed gratitude to “consortium partner Siemens Energy, heavy-lift partner Heerema Marine Contractors, and to client Scottish Power Renewables for their trust and cooperation.”

Michel Hendriks, COO of Heerema Marine Contractors, stated that the company was “proud to have installed the East Anglia THREE OCS topside on behalf of Aker Solutions.” He noted that “completing this project in the shoulder seasons is a testament to our crew's dedication and Sleipnir's incredible capabilities” and praised the collaborative effort, saying they “delivered a textbook example of successful offshore installation” while “working as one team with Scottish Power Renewables and Aker Solutions.”

The successful installation represents a major milestone in the development of offshore renewable energy infrastructure, demonstrating the scale and complexity of modern windfarm construction projects.

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