ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) cheered along with thousands of spectators as the Tour of Britain cycle race hit the streets of Suffolk on Thursday, September 7.
The company was an official supporting stage partner for stage 5 of the event, which saw 100 of the world’s best cyclists race through the county in glorious weather.
The 192.4km route started and finished on Felixstowe seafront, passing through a number of other towns and villages along the way – including Ipswich, Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Debenham, Framlingham, Leiston, Snape and Woodbridge.
Stage 5 was won by Belgian cyclist Wout Van Aert for Team Jumbo-Visma, with Britain’s Ethan Vernon in second and Danny Van Poppel of the Netherlands coming third.
Ross Ovens of ScottishPower Renewables on the podium with Tour of Britain 2023 stage 5 winner Wout van Aert (Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com)
SPR’s partnership with the event showcased its commitment to local people, businesses and communities across Suffolk, where it operates one offshore wind farm and is currently building another as part of the East Anglia Hub.
Together, the two wind farms will generate enough green electricity to power the equivalent of almost two million homes and help the UK meet its target of net zero by 2050.
“It was fantastic to join local people and communities in welcoming the Tour of Britain to Suffolk and show our support for the region, its people and its places,” said Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables’ managing director for the East Anglia Hub.
Danny Van Poppel (left) crosses the line in second with Ethan Vernon in third (Image: SWpix.com)
“Suffolk is a very special spot for ScottishPower Renewables – it’s the heart of our UK offshore wind operations, home to our flagship operational wind farm East Anglia ONE, and where we’re currently building East Anglia THREE.
“Supporting such an important event is testament to our commitment to the region where we’re delivering a positive impact for local people, businesses and places and creating a long and lasting legacy thanks to offshore wind.”
SPR is also working with Suffolk Growth and Suffolk County Council to bring legacy benefits to the region on the back of the Tour of Britain. Together, they will be launching a ‘Bikeability’ programme showcasing how cycling can support healthy sustainable living and giving young people the skills and confidence to get active and get on their bikes. The programme will launch later this year.
“As a major investor in Suffolk’s energy coast, we welcomed the opportunity to partner with ScottishPower Renewables to deliver Stage 5 of this year’s Tour,” said Karen Chapman, manager at Suffolk Growth.
Karen Chapman, manager at Suffolk Growth (Image: Suffolk Growth)
“Alongside the direct financial contribution SPR made to supporting the event, they also provided significant input into the marketing and communications activities across Suffolk, raising awareness of the Tour and encouraging communities and local businesses to get involved.
“SPR’s engagement is continuing post Tour, and they are working with local authority partners on initiatives to encourage more people to become active and take up cycling as well as supporting sustainable living and travel.”
Peter Hodges, PR and marketing director at SweetSpot Group, the events and marketing company behind the Tour of Britain, added: “It’s been great working with the ScottishPower Renewables team on the Suffolk stage, right through from having them involved in the route launch back in July through to having Ross Ovens present two of the Tour prizes to our cyclists on the day.”
Peter Hodges, PR and marketing director at SweetSpot Group (Image: SweetSpot Group)
As well as supporting local events such as the Tour of Britain, SPR has also been doing its bit to keep Suffolk clean.
On September 13, employees working on the East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm project took to the sand dunes and marram grass at Lowestoft Beach for a volunteer clean-up as part of a team-building day.
SPR has also been supporting Suffolk in other ways, including a recent beach clean at Lowestoft (Image: SPR)
Focusing on the areas that aren’t as easy for the regular beach-cleaning machines and equipment to access, the team bagged and removed small microplastics that had made their way into the dunes.
Matt Wooltorton, head of construction, said: “Lowestoft Beach is not only local to our base, but for the teams that work there. It’s a real family favourite, so it was great to get together with colleagues to do our bit and help give back to the local community.”
For more information, visit scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia
This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
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