Two major offshore wind farms off the Norfolk coast have received the go-ahead after energy company RWE and investment firm KKR confirmed a £12 billion investment, in a deal the government says will support more than 2,400 jobs.

The Vanguard West and Vanguard East wind farms are expected to be fully operational by 2030, generating around 2.8 gigawatts of electricity — enough to power the equivalent of about three million homes. Offshore construction is due to begin in early 2027, with onshore works already well advanced.

The financing includes £1 billion from the National Wealth Fund, the government's publicly owned policy bank. The government described the investment as the biggest of its kind in UK history.

2,400 jobs during construction and operation

The government said the investment will support more than 2,400 jobs during the construction and operation phases, with roles across the renewable energy supply chain and in coastal communities.

RWE chief executive Markus Krebber said: "Together with KKR, we are delivering two of the UK's largest offshore wind projects, strengthening domestic electricity generation and making an important contribution to the country's long-term energy security."

Berwick Bank to back 2,677 skilled jobs

Separately, SSE announced that the latest phase of its Berwick Bank offshore wind farm will support 2,677 skilled jobs in manufacturing, engineering and project delivery across Scotland and the north of England.

The 1.4-gigawatt Berwick Bank B project, about 38 kilometres off the Scottish coast in the outer Firth of Forth, includes 130 new roles — 80 with SSE in Glasgow and 50 with Siemens Energy at Montrose Port. Siemens Energy has been named preferred supplier for the project's turbines and substation platforms.

The announcements came as Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye.