Two Norfolk marine companies are set to play a key role in the construction of the East of England’s latest offshore windfarm, securing multi-million-pound agreements with ScottishPower Renewables.
The green energy company, part of the Iberdrola Group, has signed charter contracts worth more than £16 million with NR Marine Services in Caister and OEG in Great Yarmouth.
The agreements will see the companies provide vessels to support the East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm, which will be the second largest in the world when it comes into operation next year. The vessels will operate out of Lowestoft.
NR Marine Services will supply two crew transfer vessels, the NR Rebellion and NR Hunter. The Typhoon Class Rebellion is due to enter service in April 2026, followed by the Storm Class Hunter later in the year.
Built by Diverse Marine on the Isle of Wight, NR Rebellion is a 25-metre hybrid vessel and one of the cleanest CTVs in the industry, with reduced emissions and lower fuel consumption. It can travel at 26 knots, cover 1,000 nautical miles, and ferry up to 24 personnel to the 1.4GW windfarm construction site. It will be the first vessel of its type used within the Iberdrola Group.
OEG will provide the support vessel Tess, which will carry out guard operations at the windfarm site. Tess is designed for extended periods at sea, making it ideal for East Anglia THREE.
Ross Ovens, Managing Director for Offshore at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “It’s fantastic to have NR Marine Services and OEG on board – supporting the construction of East Anglia THREE right on their doorstep, bringing more investment and opportunity to the region and contributing to a cleaner and greener future for us all. It’s also terrific to be using vessels that were built here in the UK to support the country’s clean power ambitions.”
Owen Nutt, Director of NR Marine Services, described the deal as “the biggest charter we’ve ever signed” and a vote of confidence in the region’s capabilities. He highlighted the company’s growth over the past year, including doubling its fleet and headcount and hiring more local staff.
George Moore of OEG said the contract strengthened the company’s commitment to the East of England and built upon years of supporting ScottishPower Renewables’ offshore projects.
East Anglia THREE is wholly owned by ScottishPower Renewables and is the second of four East Anglia projects. Public engagement began in November 2012, with consultations between 2013 and 2015. A development consent application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in November 2015, accepted in December 2015, and examined between June and December 2016.
On 28 March 2017, the Planning Inspectorate issued a report recommending consent to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who approved the project on 7 August 2017. Subsequent non-material changes were approved in June 2019, April 2021, and September 2022 to adjust turbine numbers, hub heights, rotor radius, and offshore substations while keeping the total capacity at 1.4GW.
When complete, East Anglia THREE will be ScottishPower Renewables’ largest offshore windfarm and the second largest globally. Its 1.4GW capacity is enough to power more than 1.3 million homes.
The project is part of the UK’s expanding offshore wind sector. As of April 2025, 16GW of offshore wind capacity was operational, with 10.4GW under construction. Contracts for a further 1.4GW have been awarded, while early planning exists for 47.3GW more. By the 2030s, total UK offshore wind capacity is expected to reach 79GW.
Iberdrola, the parent company of ScottishPower Renewables, has led the global renewable energy sector for more than 20 years. It has installed over 47,600MW of renewable capacity worldwide and continues to invest in smart grids, energy storage, and digital transformation to drive the low-carbon economy.
The East Anglia THREE project is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the UK, supporting vessel operation, construction, and the wider supply chain. By working with local marine firms such as NR Marine Services and OEG, the project brings both economic and environmental benefits to the region.
ScottishPower Renewables said the contracts demonstrate how regional expertise can be harnessed to meet the UK’s offshore wind ambitions while investing in local skills and industry.
