ScottishPower Renewables has been revealed as an Official Supporting Stage Partner for Stage 5 of the Tour of Britain, the UK’s leading cycle race, which will take place in Suffolk – home to the green energy company’s East Anglia offshore windfarm projects.
The partnership showcases ScottishPower’s commitment to local people, businesses and communities across the county, where it operates its flagship East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm from its Lowestoft base and is currently constructing East Anglia THREE.
East Anglia ONE – which generates enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 600,000 homes – supported almost 3,500 jobs during its construction phase. It directly created 100 long-term skilled jobs in the region and heralded the launch of the company’s first-ever offshore apprenticeship programme.
It’s also delivered investment of more than £145 million across the East of England and given a significant boost to the local and wider UK supply chain.
East Anglia THREE will be the world’s second largest windfarm when it comes into operation in 2026.
Its 95 turbines will have a combined capacity of 1,400MW, generating enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1.3million homes. It will support over 2,300 jobs during the two-year construction period and more than 100 roles in operation and maintenance over the lifetime of the windfarm.
Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables’ Managing Director for the East Anglia Hub offshore windfarms, said: “We’re very proud to be part of this stage of the Tour of Britain, which will shine a light on Suffolk’s fabulous towns, villages, coastline and countryside not just to those elite riders taking part, but to everyone watching across the county and at home.
“Our Suffolk offshore wind projects will not only help power a cleaner and greener future for us all, they will also ensure we are part of the Suffolk community for decades to come. So, as a responsible developer and a good neighbour – and a keen cyclist myself – it’s fantastic to team up with Suffolk Growth and the Tour of Britain to celebrate all that Suffolk has to offer through this spectacular sporting event.
“We’re also working with Suffolk County Council to look at how we can use the Tour to showcase how cycling can support healthy sustainable living and encourage people to get active and get on their bikes, so we can all enjoy a cleaner, greener and better future quicker. Watch this space!”
Karen Chapman, Partnership Manager for Suffolk Growth, said: “Suffolk Growth is delighted to work alongside ScottishPower Renewables in bringing the Tour of Britain back to Suffolk. The Tour of Britain brings a significant financial boost to our county’s visitor economy and wider events supply chain, and with ScottishPower Renewables commitment to investment in the region, their sponsorship as a supporting partner of the Suffolk stage of the Tour of Britain reinforces their position as an anchor in delivering for the future of Suffolk.”
Peter Hodges, PR & Marketing Director for the Tour of Britain, added: “We are delighted to be working alongside Suffolk Growth and their partners ScottishPower Renewables on the men’s Tour of Britain’s return to Suffolk. As a major business investing in Suffolk and part of the wider community, it is great to see them supporting the Suffolk stage.”
The Suffolk stage of the Tour will take place on Thursday 7 September, with cyclists weaving through country roads before culminating along the Suffolk coastline in the shadows of Felixstowe’s pier and world-famous port.