Dredging begins for port energy facility

The dredging is being carried out at the Port of Lowestoft, operated by Associated British Ports (ABP), to create the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF), an offshore energy hub. 

The capital dredge will remove 170,000m³ of material in the Outer Harbour and channel approaches, with minimum depth berth pockets of 7.5 metres.

“This depth will mean Lowestoft is able to accommodate the next generation of offshore support vessels, marking a crucial step towards transforming Lowestoft into an offshore energy hub,” said ABP regional director Julian Walker. “The commencement of capital dredging signifies a pivotal moment in the realisation of the facility.”

Sospan Dau will be supported by a small survey vessel, Sea Eagle. The operations come after initial works by grab dredger UKD Cherry Sand.

The planned works for creating LEEF are extensive, entailing renewal of the town quay and development of around 120.000 sqft of area to install mooring pontoons for CTVsm a boat lift and other infrastructure necessary for offshore support, such as workshops and warehousing space.

The Port admits that what it will provide in terms of vessel fuelling is uncertain at the moment.

”The global shift to lower carbon energy is going to be a key driver of Lowestoft’s future prosperity,” it says. “Vessel fuelling is going to be no exception. Right now, the technology pathway is atill unclear – marine fuels used could be hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, biofuel, battery storage, or a combination – but whatever the future holds, we want the town and port to build competitive advantage by being on the cutting edge of innovation.”

“We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in the project, having recently completed marine piling and tie rod installation,” said David Baskin, senior contracts manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, the contracted construction firm for LEEF. “Works are now well underway and on track to complete by September 2024.”

Dredging should be done and dusted in August.