Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year. The work will be worth approximately £15million over a four-year
In a significant boost for the UK’s clean energy ambitions, Inyanga Marine Energy Group has awarded a key fabrication contract to Hutchinson Engineering for its pioneering HydroWing tidal energy device. Set to be deployed at Morlais, off the coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), the 20 MW HydroWing array forms part
New Uswitch analysis of government data has revealed the UK’s top-performing local authorities for renewable energy generation per household, with Moray in Scotland emerging as the national leader. Table 1: Top ten local authorities with the largest renewable energy capacity in megawatts per 1,000 households Rank Local authority Capacity in
Aggreko is bringing its expertise and innovative technologies to Formula 1’s European races this summer, delivering sustainable power as ‘Official Temporary Power Solutions Provider’. A centralised low-carbon power solution for all event services, including the paddock and International Broadcast Compound has been developed in collaboration with Formula 1® using data
Savills Earth Capital Advisory, on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council, is launching the sale of Cwm Ifor Solar Farm, which provides an opportunity to buy the development rights to a ready-to-build (RTB) solar PV scheme. Situated just outside Caerphilly, the proposed C. 20 MW farm secured planning permission in
Ofgem’s recently announced reform to accelerate grid connections for new green energy projects is opening up substantial income opportunities for landowners across the UK, says Keir Doe, Managing Director of Renewables Connect, an innovative all-agency platform which ‘matchmakes’ landowners with renewables developers. The platform, which has been dubbed the ‘Tinder
Leading construction company GRAHAM has been appointed by Belfast Harbour as the main contractor for the initial build phase of the new £90 million deep water terminal to facilitate increased cruise tourism and facilitate offshore wind projects. With works commencing this month the project is set to be complete by
GRAHAM, a leading civil engineering company, has constructed Forth Ports’ new deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels. The berth was formally opened on Thursday 24 April, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s pursuit of net-zero emissions.
The offshore construction programme for ScottishPower’s biggest-ever renewables project is officially underway with the installation of the first foundation for the green energy company’s £4 billion East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm. Standing at 83.89m tall, 10.6m in diameter and weighing 1,800 tonnes, the monopile also represents a new offshore wind
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments on the latest MCS data: “The latest data from the MCS Data Dashboard shows that March was the best month of 2025 so far, totaling more than 31,000 certified installations – up 49% from March 2024. “Heat pump uptake continues to rise, with 5,604
Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year. The work will be worth approximately £15million over a four-year period and will see Hobson & Porter refurbishing around 200 council owned homes each year, and significantly improving their energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings to either B or C. The company will also work on homes that the council is currently buying to supplement its existing housing stock. Hobson & Porter has already been tasked with installing 1.5kWp‘in-roof’ solar panels on more than 20 residential streets as well as making efficiency upgrades to the loft spaces. Structural repairs will also be carried out alongside the full refurbishment of a mix of council owned buildings including offices, industrial units and storage depots. This will include replacing reinforced concrete floor slabs for insulated ones, rewiring, installing new heating systems, underpinning, drainage repairs and internal structural work. In addition, Hobson & Porter will be improving communal areas in assisted living schemes and apartment buildings, as well as refurbishing and demolishing a series of garage blocks. Sam Robertson, from Hobson & Porter, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is a longstanding client so we’re very pleased to win this new contract. Having worked on East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s previous frameworks for the last seven years, I am happy we have been recognised as a key partner in delivering this latest scheme, which is testament to our team’s hard work and high standards of workmanship. “It’s particularly rewarding because it involves a wide variety of work, from refurbishing all types of homes, which will make a genuine difference to local people, through to installing the latest sustainable technology. All this will significantly improve the council’s property portfolio across a large swathe of East Yorkshire, as well as future-proofing buildings and homes for future generations of residents, staff and visitors.” Councillor Gary McMaster, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said: “This contract has been designed to ensure that as many of the homes and buildings that we own and run as possible can benefit from modern and sustainable technology. This will ensure that they are fit for purpose for many years to come and guarantees the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources.” Hobson & Porter has a longstanding relationship with East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The company recently started rebuilding two sheltered housing developments in Anlaby and Driffield, which will both offer a mix of one-and-two-bedroom flats with generous open-plan layouts. The homes will be adaptable to meet residents’ needs as they age, thereby helping them to live independently for longer. Hobson & Porter is also working on the energy efficiency-led refurbishment of two supported living developments in Hornsea. Once complete, Meregarth will offer 14, one bedroom apartments and Pybus Court, will provide 13, one and two bedroom apartments that all meet East Riding’s need for suitable supported housing. At the end of last year, Hobson & Porter completed work on a £3.3 million renovation programme at Champney Treasure House in Beverley, which included significant improvements to the much-loved museum, archives, café area, tower viewing point, gardens and art gallery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In a significant boost for the UK’s clean energy ambitions, Inyanga Marine Energy Group has awarded a key fabrication contract to Hutchinson Engineering for its pioneering HydroWing tidal energy device. Set to be deployed at Morlais, off the coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), the 20 MW HydroWing array forms part of one of Europe’s largest consented tidal energy projects. The first-of-its-kind device is scheduled for installation in early 2026 and is expected to mark a turning point for marine renewables in the UK. The fabrication contract covers the construction of the foundation frame and rear nacelle, essential components designed to endure the extreme conditions of the seabed environment. The 120-tonne frame will deliver 1.2 MW of energy per unit and is designed with a 25-year lifespan, taking future decommissioning into account. Manufacturing will be split between Hutchinson Engineering’s base in Cheshire and final assembly at a Welsh quayside location, supporting regional job creation and local supply chains. Richard Parkinson, chief executive of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, said: “Hutchinson Engineering have all the engineering expertise and ingenuity required to turn our innovative tidal stream technology concept into reality. The tidal energy scheme at Morlais is the largest of its kind in the world and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to prove the full potential of tidal energy, really putting Wales on the map as a global pioneer in renewable energy.” Steve Adams, managing director of Hutchinson Engineering, added: “We are extremely excited about winning the contract for this groundbreaking project. We pride ourselves on all our fabrications having a positive impact on the world and so this will be a flagship project for us. It is an opportunity to fabricate advanced technology that is expected to become a world leader in tidal energy.” The development also signals broader momentum for the Morlais initiative. Andy Billcliff, chief executive of Menter Môn Morlais, commented: “The award of the first fabrication contract is a significant milestone in our exciting journey to deliver tidal energy at Morlais, providing economic and sustainability benefits for Wales and the UK, as well as demonstrating the global commercial viability of tidal energy.” Earlier this month, the Welsh Government confirmed a £2 million equity investment in Inyanga Marine Energy Group, contributing to a wider funding round supporting the company’s international expansion, including projects in France, southeast Asia and Canada. Onshore infrastructure for the Morlais site, including a landfall substation and underground cabling, was completed by North Wales-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering in December 2023. As the world searches for sustainable energy solutions, this Welsh-led project positions the UK at the forefront of tidal power innovation, offering the promise of long-term environmental and economic returns. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Uswitch analysis of government data has revealed the UK’s top-performing local authorities for renewable energy generation per household, with Moray in Scotland emerging as the national leader. Table 1: Top ten local authorities with the largest renewable energy capacity in megawatts per 1,000 households Rank Local authority Capacity in megawatts per 1,000 households 1 Moray 47.4 2 North East Lincolnshire 41.4 3 Boston 32.0 4 East Lothian 27.3 5 Highland 26.3 6 Lancaster 23.1 7 Dumfries and Galloway 18.9 8 North Norfolk 18.8 9 Argyll and Bute 17.3 10 East Suffolk 15.8 Moray leads the UK with 47.4 MW per 1,000 households, followed by North East Lincolnshire at 41.4 MW. Other notable regions include Boston (32.0 MW), East Lothian (27.3 MW), and Highland (26.3 MW). Scottish local authorities rank highly, reflecting a mix of strong investment and favourable conditions for wind power, such as higher wind speeds and suitable terrain. The data highlights how both geography and different local approaches play a role in shaping the UK’s renewable energy landscape. Areas with the most solar and wind power The UK regions with the highest solar, onshore, and offshore wind capacity per household (excluding other renewable sources due to data limitations). Solar photovoltaics: East Cambridgeshire leads with 4.4 MW per 1,000 households, followed by South Cambridgeshire (4.3 MW). Pembrokeshire and Torridge each generate 4.0 MW, with several rural areas making strong gains in solar capacity. Onshore wind: Highland tops the list with 18.3 MW per 1,000 households, followed by Dumfries and Galloway (13.1 MW) and South Ayrshire (12.7 MW), showcasing Scotland’s dominance in wind energy. Offshore wind: North East Lincolnshire leads with 40.4 MW per 1,000 homes, followed by Moray at 35.0 MW. Other key contributors include Boston and East Lothian, highlighting the importance of coastal regions in offshore wind generation. North East Lincolnshire’s growth is driven by major projects like the Hornsea Wind Farm series, Hornsea One and Two, with capacities of 1.2 GW and 1.4 GW respectively. They are the largest offshore wind farms in the world as part of Ørsted’s East Coast Hub in Grimsby. Table 2: Top ten local authorities with the largest growth in renewable energy capacity over 5 years (2018–2023) Rank Local authority Change in capacity over 5 years 1 North East Lincolnshire 1017% 2 Boston 985% 3 East Lothian 734% 4 Inverclyde 608% 5 Rugby 444% 6 Aberdeen City 437% 7 Sutton 273% 8 Hammersmith and Fulham 263% 9 Spelthorne 262% 10 Barnet 215% North East Lincolnshire leads with a 1,017% growth in renewable energy capacity from 2018 to 2023, followed by Boston (985%) and East Lothian (734%). Urban areas like Sutton, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Barnet also show substantial increases, reflecting rapid growth in both rural and urban renewable energy generation. Table 3: Five-year change in renewable energy types (2018–2023) Renewable energy type 5 year change (2023-2018) Offshore Wind 80.20% Municipal Solid Waste 37.10% Photovoltaics 24.30% Anaerobic Digestion 19.70% Onshore Wind 15.00% Sewage Gas 8.60% Plant Biomass 2.70% Hydro 0.70% Animal Biomass 0.00% Landfill Gas -0.30% Wave/Tidal -52.00% Methodology & Sources We took UK government data on renewable energy generation for the last 10 years and used it to calculate: Where local authority changes had taken place in the period covered data from the old authorities was grouped into the relevant new authority to allow for comparisons. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/regional-renewable-statistics Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggreko is bringing its expertise and innovative technologies to Formula 1’s European races this summer, delivering sustainable power as ‘Official Temporary Power Solutions Provider’. A centralised low-carbon power solution for all event services, including the paddock and International Broadcast Compound has been developed in collaboration with Formula 1® using data and insights across a number of races over the last two years. Aggreko’s expert teams will collaborate further to provide power solutions that support the sport’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2030. Driving the seven-year global partnership is the two organisations’ shared commitment and their focus on delivering high performance results in three key areas of innovation, sustainability and technology. Leveraging its global track record of delivering high performance energy technologies and innovative thinking, Aggreko will be providing resilient, efficient, low emission solutions through its Greener Upgrades™ range which includes solar PV hybrid systems using Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Stage V generators fuelled with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The success of this approach has already been demonstrated when a centralised energy solution was used at three races last year, including the FORMULA 1® AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX. The solar PV, hybridised BESS and HVO-fuelled Stage V generator solution reduced the need for at least 30+ additional generators from other suppliers and reduced associated carbon emissions by >90% compared to the 2022 event. Similar results are expected in 2025. Data collected from last year’s trial is being used to optimise solutions for future races and contributes to Aggreko’s wider gathering of insights from its global fleet to deliver the best performance to industries worldwide. As companies globally look to navigate the energy transition and reduce their emissions, this type of valuable data will provide the insight of how best to implement bespoke solutions that meet energy needs and ESG goals. Collaborating closely with C&I customers to implement new, greener technologies is a central part of Aggreko’s sustainability framework, Energising Change™ which outlines how they are supporting customers through the energy transition. Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1®, said: “The delivery of our Net Zero by 2030 commitment is driven by new technologies and new ways of working. With Aggreko’s support, Formula 1 is taking another step to reduce emissions across the Paddock. The low carbon power solutions will be in action across our European events this year and will further support our drive to be Net Zero by 2030.” Robert Wells, Europe President and Head of Events at Aggreko, said: “Our partnership with Formula 1 is built on the strength of our shared vision and values. By improving performance in innovation, sustainability and technology through our work powering some of the sport’s supporting infrastructure, we are showcasing how bespoke solutions using our latest Greener Upgrades™ technologies can help meet ESG goals in a setting that is the ultimate test of performance. We’re proud to collaborate with Formula 1® on its global stage, setting a shining example of how large event operators can accelerate change by learning from this progressive approach in reducing emissions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills Earth Capital Advisory, on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council, is launching the sale of Cwm Ifor Solar Farm, which provides an opportunity to buy the development rights to a ready-to-build (RTB) solar PV scheme. Situated just outside Caerphilly, the proposed C. 20 MW farm secured planning permission in May 2024, with c. 81 acres of land under an option to lease. The project is expected to connect to the grid in December 2026, with the potential to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 6,000 homes annually. Henry Grant, Director, Savills Earth Capital Advisory, says, “This sale offers an excellent opportunity for investors to acquire a well-planned renewable energy project with substantial potential for positive impact. We anticipate strong interest from investors, community energy groups and public sector organisations and look forward to supporting Caerphilly County Borough Council throughout the process.” Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Caerphilly Councils Deputy Leader, adds, “This is an exciting and innovative initiative, which aims to help deliver our targets to lower carbon emissions and at the same time generate a financial return that can be reinvested into services, which is vital during the current challenges we face.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ofgem’s recently announced reform to accelerate grid connections for new green energy projects is opening up substantial income opportunities for landowners across the UK, says Keir Doe, Managing Director of Renewables Connect, an innovative all-agency platform which ‘matchmakes’ landowners with renewables developers. The platform, which has been dubbed the ‘Tinder for Renewables’, was launched last May and is free and no obligation for landowners – whether farmers, country estate owners or local councils – to list on. “We’ve seen lots of activity on the platform in recent weeks as this reform is creating opportunity for new – and some previously rejected – projects to get connected to the grid quickly,” says Keir, who farms near Errol in Perthshire and has his own land consultancy where he has seen renewables projects from both landowner and developer perspectives. “There’s been a major backlog preventing new projects connecting to the grid due to the traditional ‘first-come, first-served’ process. Some projects have connection dates of 10+ years. This reform will get rid of speculative ‘zombie’ projects that have been holding up the queue and prioritise new solar farms, wind turbines and battery storage that are ready and strategically placed for the grid. This is a great opportunity for landowners if they have some land that could secure a lucrative rental income from a renewable energy project.” This, combined with the drive for data centres and hydrogen power, which are powered by renewables, and changes to planning policy, means there is considerable potential for those with land. Projects that have previously been refused or deemed unviable may now be sought after by developers, adds Keir. “It doesn’t have to be one large area, it could be marginal land on the edge of a farm, estate or a town. These smaller parcels can create a critical mass in one region that can then become an investible project for a renewables developer.” Renewables Connect currently has more than 9,000 hectares of land listed on its platform, from Shetland to Cornwall. Its interactive digital map allows landowners to list land areas and for developers to view, filter, and assess their suitability for green energy projects including wind, solar or battery storage. Large areas of land are often attractive for developers, but the ‘co-location’ of neighbouring smaller parcels is where Renewables Connect can create matches that may not otherwise be obvious. “This has been a gamechanger,” explains Keir. “Not every landowner wants a large-scale project on their land, or to take productive arable land out of commission, but this allows for smaller and poorer quality parcels to become greater than the sum of their parts. It’s a win for both parties as it creates good passive income for the less productive land and forges greater potential for renewables projects.” Following the recent UK Government reports that average farm income has fallen significantly, this is an opportunity to diversify the business or can also help with succession planning, adds Keir: “Such a drastic drop in income is difficult for any business but this comes at a time when farm businesses are faced with additional cost pressures and tax increases. Rental income from renewable energy development can provide a steady, passive additional income stream. It’s free and quick to list on the Renewables Connect Platform and doesn’t tie you to anything. It may be the most profitable 10 minutes of a landowner’s year.” One of the biggest potential renewables growth areas is onshore wind, says Keir: “The demand for this and solar will also grow with the plans for data centres, large buildings which store and process data, and the investment in hydrogen technology, both of which need substantial renewable power sources.” In Scotland, where changes in the National Planning Framework 4 eased restrictions on the visual impact of renewables, previously refused wind farms may now be able to secure planning consent. Renewables Connect is also having positive discussions with local authorities: “We’re seeing increasing interest from councils who see the benefits of listing land to help generate income, reduce dependency on central budgets and deliver community benefit. Equally, projects like the recently approved community wind initiative on Arran are proving what’s possible and it’s something we could see replicated in other areas across the UK.” The grid reform is part of the UK’s ambition to decarbonise the national power supply by 2030, with the first wave of post-reform projects expected to be up and running in early 2026. “The UK will not meet its 2030 net-zero targets without a massive acceleration in renewable project delivery,” says Keir. “This starts with land and as a landowner, if you are keen you need to be actively promoting your land to let renewables developers know you are interested. This can be daunting, expensive and difficult to know where to start. That’s why we built Renewables Connect, to be a transparent, one-stop shop, free for landowners or their land agents to promote their sites and easy for developers to identify new opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading construction company GRAHAM has been appointed by Belfast Harbour as the main contractor for the initial build phase of the new £90 million deep water terminal to facilitate increased cruise tourism and facilitate offshore wind projects. With works commencing this month the project is set to be complete by 2027 and will see the construction of a new 340m long dual-purpose quay and deep water berth which will be able to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels, while also expanding the port’s capacity for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation. With 146 cruise vessels scheduled to berth at Belfast Harbour this year – Belfast is already the busiest cruise port on the island and second busiest cruise port in the UK. The investment will futureproof Belfast’s position as a leading city for cruise tourism. It will also enable the growth of the already significant contribution of cruise tourism to the regional economy, estimated at between £20m-£25m per year. Paul Scott GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Belfast Harbour to deliver this project, not only will it enhance Belfast’s position as leading cruise destination but will also play a crucial role in enabling the future of offshore wind energy in the region”. “As the works commence, we will focus on working closely with key stakeholders and the local community delivering social value and creating impact for years to come”. Chair of Belfast Harbour Dr. Theresa Donaldson said: “Having announced our ambitious new Advance Regional Prosperity strategy only a few months ago, it is exciting to be partnering with GRAHAM to commence work on the single biggest investment project in Belfast Harbour’s history. “As a Trust Port, our primary responsibility is to maintain and develop the Port for the good of everyone in the region, and this project delivers on that mission. It will help us to attract more turnaround cruise calls to Belfast, boosting the economic contribution of cruise tourism, while also providing a pathway to our longer-term ambitions of facilitating the construction of the next generation of floating offshore windfarms, ultimately helping Northern Ireland and its neighbours to reach their clean energy and net zero targets. ” It is an exciting project, which will create a new home for cruise tourism in the port. From 2028, the majority of cruise vessels arriving into Belfast Harbour will dock at the new deep-water berth. To maximise the opportunity for the regional economy the existing cruise hub will be returned to its original use as a full-time facility for offshore wind. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GRAHAM, a leading civil engineering company, has constructed Forth Ports’ new deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels. The berth was formally opened on Thursday 24 April, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s pursuit of net-zero emissions. It has been named the Charles Hammond Berth in honour of Forth Ports’ former Chief Executive, with the naming ceremony attended by Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland. The newly engineered heavy-lift berth boasts a robust 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m²) capacity, backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling, and manufacturing. A pivotal asset within a 175-acre site, the design will accommodate Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high-quality green jobs, and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net-zero carbon emissions targets. The Leith Renewables Hub is part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth. Paul Scott, GRAHAM Contracts Director, said: “The completion and grand opening of the Charles Hammond Berth is a proud moment for GRAHAM and a significant step forward for Scotland’s renewable energy sector. This complex project highlights our commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that not only meets immediate needs but also unlocks substantial long-term economic benefits for the region. We are delighted to have played a key role in creating a facility that will be instrumental in achieving Scotland’s net-zero targets and attracting significant investment and job creation.” The Charles Hammond Berth provides essential infrastructure for the Inch Cape wind farm and positions Leith as a key hub for the offshore renewables industry, attracting further investment and job creation within the Forth Green Freeport. Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group, said: “Today marks another important milestone in the history of Forth Ports and the transformation of the Port of Leith. Ahead of market demand, we have created a world class piece of infrastructure for Scotland as the nation starts to deliver the first wave of larger offshore wind projects taking shape in the North Sea. This, alongside our investment in the Port of Dundee, has created two purpose-built assembly terminals to meet the immediate needs of Scotland’s offshore wind sector. “These assets are part of Forth Ports’ vision aimed at addressing the UK’s port capacity required for the deployment of these projects, keeping the activity here in Scotland and the UK. This port infrastructure will be here for the long term and will become part of our sustainable future. “Naming the berth after Charles couldn’t be a more fitting tribute to his leadership and we are proud to have his name on the berth as part of his legacy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The offshore construction programme for ScottishPower’s biggest-ever renewables project is officially underway with the installation of the first foundation for the green energy company’s £4 billion East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm. Standing at 83.89m tall, 10.6m in diameter and weighing 1,800 tonnes, the monopile also represents a new offshore wind industry record – becoming the largest installed to date from a jack-up vessel in Europe. Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO, said: “The installation of our first East Anglia THREE foundation is a real wow moment for both ScottishPower and Iberdrola. It represents a mammoth feat of engineering, skill and a huge amount of work. We’re talking an incredible 1800 tonnes of steel, safely and securely lifted and then precisely placed in the exact spot in an area the size of almost 43,000 football pitches. We’ve never built anything of this scale before! “East Anglia THREE will be the biggest-ever windfarm across the whole of the Iberdrola group and the second largest in the world when it comes into operation. To visibly see it starting to take shape in the North Sea is a real milestone moment and definitely something to be proud of. This project is a fantastic example of how we’re generating more secure, green electricity for the UK; investing in the country’s clean energy future; and supporting jobs and opportunities for decades to come.” The monopile – manufactured by Joint Venture Navantia Seanergies Windar Renovables (JVNW) – was installed by the Seaway Ventus jack-up installation vessel. It is the first of 95 monopiles being manufactured for the 1.4GW windfarm – the biggest in the ScottishPower and Iberdrola portfolios. JVNW is fabricating 45 of the 95 foundations for the project, with the remaining 50 being manufactured by Haizea. Each of the 95 monopiles will be between 67 and 85 metres in length, up to 10.6 metres in diameter and weigh between 1200 and 1800 tonnes. They will support 95 14.7MW Siemens Gamesa turbines that will generate a total of 1400MW of clean energy – enough to power the equivalent of more than 1.3 million homes. The first of the 95 transition pieces – produced by Windar Renovables – has also been installed, with each 20 metres in height, 8 metres in diameter and weighing more than 400 tonnes. Seaway7 is installing all of the East Anglia THREE monopiles and transition pieces. To achieve this, the Seaway Ventus jack-up vessel has been fitted with a custom-built mission equipment spread that was designed, fabricated, and installed in under two years to meet the project schedule and performance requirements. Lloyd Duthie, Seaway7 Vice President UK, Ireland & Asia, said, “We are proud to have successfully installed the first foundation for East Anglia THREE. This achievement comes after two years of preparation, resulting in Seaway Ventus installing the largest monopile from a jack-up vessel in Europe. It really is testament to the scale of engineering that can be achieved together with partners across the supply chain. We look forward to progressing this significant multi-year construction project, encompassing foundation and inner-array cable installation, with ScottishPower Renewables to deliver a substantial contribution to the UK’s renewable energy ambitions.” The installation of all 95 turbines is expected to be completed by early 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments on the latest MCS data: “The latest data from the MCS Data Dashboard shows that March was the best month of 2025 so far, totaling more than 31,000 certified installations – up 49% from March 2024. “Heat pump uptake continues to rise, with 5,604 certified installations – a 22% increase on March of last year – as more homeowners transition to low-carbon heating, driven by initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). “Solar PV also had a strong month, with a total of 22,599 installations in March. This was a 49% increase on March 2024 and an 18% increase on last month. This means that there are now over 1.7 million MCS certified solar PV installations. “March was another record-breaking month for battery storage, with almost 3,000 certified installations, beating the previous record set in February and a 147% increase on March 2024. This brings the total battery storage installations to over 33,000. “It’s great to see that the number of people adopting low-carbon alternatives is continuing to grow month on month, a positive step towards helping the UK achieve its net zero targets. With this growth, it is crucial to focus on ‘delivered quality’ to ensure consumers have growing confidence when investing in home-grown energy. This is what the redeveloped MCS will achieve, putting consumer protection at the heart of what we do.” MCS holds the most comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-real-time updates on renewable installations, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
