ScottishPower Renewables has installed its first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore converter station at the East Anglia THREE wind farm, located about 69 kilometres off the Suffolk coast, the company said.
Weighing 10,700 tonnes and standing taller than the Statue of Liberty, the seven-storey structure was lifted and installed last week by Heerema Marine Contractors’ crane vessel Sleipnir. Measuring 70 metres long, 34 metres wide and 48 metres high, it is the largest offshore converter station ever built across Iberdrola Group, ScottishPower’s parent company.
The module will convert electricity from alternating to direct current for transmission to shore, enabling more efficient long-distance power transfer. The £4 billion East Anglia THREE project is ScottishPower Renewables’ first offshore wind farm to use HVDC technology.
“Installing our first ever offshore HVDC converter station is testament to the hard work of our teams and suppliers to deliver such a complex feat of engineering,” said Charlie Jordan, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables. “This is a significant milestone for our East Anglia THREE project as we progress towards completion at the end of 2026.”
Fabrication of the converter module was completed in Mangalia, Romania, before being transported to Aker Solutions’ yard in Stord, Norway, for final assembly. Siemens Energy supplied the HVDC transmission technology.
“This is a fantastic landmark moment,” said Darren Davidson, vice president of Siemens Energy UK & Ireland. “HVDC enables efficient long-distance power transmission with reduced losses, supporting the UK’s grid stability. Together, we’re delivering clean energy from the North Sea to power people’s homes.”
Aker Solutions executive vice president Sturla Magnus described the project as “a clear example of our ability to execute large and complex energy projects,” noting it is the company’s second HVDC delivery this year.
Heerema Marine Contractors’ chief operating officer Michel Hendriks added that completing the installation during shoulder season “is a testament to our crew’s dedication and Sleipnir’s incredible capabilities.”
When operational in late 2026, East Anglia THREE will be the largest offshore wind farm developed by Iberdrola Group and one of the largest globally, with capacity to generate enough clean electricity to power more than one million homes.
