Major piling works are about to begin at the development of a new £24.8m offshore energy campus in Great Yarmouth.

The new operations and maintenance campus, tipped as providing a major boost to the economy and bringing hundreds of jobs, will be based in the South Denes peninsula, close to the Herring Bridge.

The build is expected to take around 12 months and will see 190m of river quay refurbished and upgraded, along with the creation of new vessel pontoons, and a revised road layout.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: An artist's impression of what the whole Operations and Maintenance Campus area in South Denes, Great Yarmouth, could look like once redeveloped. Picture - NCCAn artist's impression of what the whole Operations and Maintenance Campus area in South Denes, Great Yarmouth, could look like once redeveloped. Picture - NCC (Image: NCC)Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “After 50-plus years in the industry, it’s with pride that we say Great Yarmouth is recognised as England’s energy sector capital.

“Alongside a series of major recent investments across the town, this infrastructure investment will provide further potential for the borough, positively impacting local businesses and offering job opportunities to residents as Great Yarmouth’s regeneration and economic growth continues to develop.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith. Picture - NEwsquestGreat Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith. Picture - NEwsquest (Image: Newsquest)Demolition works on the South Denes peninsula were carried out in 2021 to prepare the site for development, which is now in the hands of national building firm Tilbury Douglas.

The project recently benefited from an additional £3.4m from the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) to further develop the site for occupancy.

Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council said: “By preparing the site for further development and making it ‘tenant ready’ which this additional funding will enable, we hope to harness the full potential of both the site and our new river crossing as quickly as possible. 

"This will stimulate much needed housing and employment growth across the region whilst supporting our environmental goals through investment in green energy and help safeguard the UK against recent energy price rises seen in global markets through increased domestic production.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth has been chosen as the operations and maintenance base for Vattenfall's Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Picture - VattenfallGreat Yarmouth has been chosen as the operations and maintenance base for Vattenfall's Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Picture - Vattenfall (Image: Vattenfall)The site was announced as the preferred location for Vattenfall’s operations and maintenance base for the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. When completed, Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will be one of the largest offshore wind zones in the world, creating approximately 130 new jobs.

The campus is commissioned by Norfolk County Council, in collaboration with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.