What's believed to be the biggest abnormal load ever transported in Suffolk has been brought in via the Port of Ipswich and is the process of being delivered to its final destination.
Port bosses say they are "proud" of the pivotal role the site - owned and operated by Associated British Ports (ABP) - has played in bringing in large-scale equipment to build Drax's new Progress gas-powered electricity station at Eye.
The first of three loads was successfully transported up the A140 on Sunday (October 22) in an operation which meant the closure of the road - the main link between Ipswich and Norwich.
The other pieces will be transported over subsequent Sundays, with the same road closures in place.
The huge parts - including a generator, a turbine and a transformer - arrived at the port from Rotterdam on Friday, October 13.
Because of bad weather they were not lifted off general cargo ship Wilson Flex III until the following Monday and are being kept at the port prior to transportation.
The heavy lifting was carried out by specialist heavy lift and transport company Allelys.
Each load is about 80m (260ft) long and weighs in at about 500 tonnes including the trailer - making it the biggest abnormal load ever transported in Suffolk.
ABP divisional port manager Paul Ager said: “ABP’s Port of Ipswich is proud to have played a role in supporting this remarkable operation.
“We were pleased to work closely with Allelys to ensure that the project has gone smoothly to date, and our support for this operation exemplifies our commitment to facilitating key infrastructure projects for the region and nation.
“ABP has been a vital and necessary partner in delivering this project, and we are grateful for everyone’s patience and cooperation as the components make their way across Suffolk to their final destination.”
The new power station site will cover an area of about 10ha and is located at Eye Airfield's industrial estates. It will be capable of producing 299 megawatts of electricity.
It will be used during periods of peak electricity demand and when intermittent renewable technologies are unable to produce power at the rate required, said Drax.
It is due to enter commercial operation by October 2024.
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