Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF): A vital marine hub for UK wind energy

The Port of Lowestoft is strategically located near one of the UK’s largest clusters of offshore wind farms, serving as a vital marine hub for maintaining, repowering, and constructing offshore wind sites. Handling around 30,000 tonnes of cargo annually, the port contributes £30 million to the economy and supports 580 jobs. As a key centre for the offshore energy industry, the LEEF project is a crucial part of a new masterplan aimed at further developing the port as a hub for the southern North Sea (SNS) energy sector and the wider East Anglia region.

Associated British Ports appointed Ayesa as the lead engineering consultant for the design phase of the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility. Our role included developing a comprehensive concept design for the outer harbour, ready for a design and build tender. We critically reviewed the initial concept design, conducted value engineering, and developed designs for SOV berths, floating CTV berths, and port paving and services. Our work involved geotechnical and structural analysis for a new 350m quay wall, designing service arrangements for fuel, power, and surface drainage, and developing foundations and heavy lift paving areas. Our in-house site investigation team played a crucial role in optimizing data collection and ensuring an efficient design.

Drawing on our extensive experience, we quickly and efficiently improved the berthing arrangement, eliminating the need for mooring dolphins and costly fendering solutions. We streamlined the paving concept by reusing existing areas and introduced a phased construction methodology, allowing the berths to become incrementally operational. This approach enabled the realization of commercial value and provided flexibility to pause development based on market demand. Our site investigation team seamlessly integrated with our design team, optimizing the investigation works to fit the client budget and ultimately delivering an efficient design.