The Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm project is today announcing a new partnership structure, with EDF power solutions UK and Ireland and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners joining ESB and Sumitomo Corporation to take the project forward.
This updated partnership structure marks a significant milestone for the Five Estuaries project, bringing together a wealth of expertise in developing, financing and operating large-scale offshore wind farms globally.
Building on its strong presence in the region through the Longfield solar farm project in Essex and EDF UK’s operations at the Sizewell power station in Suffolk, EDF power solutions will lead the development in close collaboration with all project partners.
Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm is located approximately 40km off the north Essex, south Suffolk coast. The up to 1,080MW fixed-bottom project received development consent in December 2025 following over four years of development. Once operational, it is expected to generate enough electricity to meet the equivalent needs of approximately one million average UK homes annually.
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF power solutions UK and Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to join our partners in the Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm project. This project perfectly complements our existing portfolio in the UK and Ireland. We look forward to working closely with our partners and local stakeholders to bring the project online and support the UK’s energy independence and security.”
Kunal Patel, Partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, said:
“Offshore wind offers the UK a golden opportunity to deploy clean, home-grown energy at scale, to lower and stabilise electricity bills, create highly skilled jobs as well as bolster energy security and deliver economic growth. CIP is delighted to be further expanding our UK investment portfolio through acquiring a stake in Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm, and we look forward to working with partners to deliver the project.”
Since the project received development consent, work has been ongoing to further the project design, start early procurement work and continue engagement with landowners, communities and other stakeholders.
ENDS
For more information about the Five Estuaries project, please visit Home – Five Estuaries
- EDF power solutions UK and Ireland have acquired RWE’s 33.33% share
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have acquired the 25% share previously held by the Macquarie-led consortium
- They join ESB (20.83%) and Sumitomo Corporation (20.83%)
About EDF power solutions
EDF power solutions UK and Ireland (www.edf-re.uk) is a subsidiary of EDF Group, one of the world’s largest low carbon electricity companies, and our investment and innovation is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits for communities.
With our operating portfolio of 50 renewable energy and storage sites including battery, onshore and offshore wind we are providing much needed affordable, low carbon electricity. To achieve our purpose of delivering, powering and shaping an Electric UK and Ireland, we have developed an expanding portfolio of private wire, wind, battery and solar projects with plans to reach 10 GW by 2035.
About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) is a global fund manager and leading investor in energy infrastructure. CIP builds value that matters by developing and constructing critical infrastructure projects that shape the future of energy.
Through its funds, CIP invests in power generation (solar and wind), energy storage, transmission and distribution, advanced bioenergy, low-carbon fuels and carbon capture.
With 15 funds currently under management, CIP is trusted by over 200 of the world’s largest and most sophisticated institutions, having raised EUR ~43 billion to date. CIP has projects in more than 30 countries, with presence on the ground through a network of +2,300 professionals. For more information, visit www.cip.com
Media Contact:
Email: media@cip.com
About ESB
ESB was established in 1927 as a statutory body under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927. With a holding of 97.1%, ESB is majority owned by the Irish Government. The remaining 2.9% is held by the trustees of an Employee Share Ownership Plan. As a strong, diversified utility, ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications.
Visit esb.ie to learn more about ESB.
About Sumitomo Corporation
Sumitomo Corporation (TYO: 8053) is an integrated trading and business investment company with a strong global network comprising offices in over 60 countries and regions. The Sumitomo Corporation Group consists of approximately 500 companies and 80,000 employees on a consolidated basis. The Group’s business activities are spread across the following ten groups: Steel, Automotive, Transportation & Construction Systems, Diverse Urban Development, Communication Services, Digital AI, Lifestyle Business, Mineral Resources, Chemicals Solutions and Energy Transformation Business. Sumitomo Corporation is committed to creating greater value for society under the corporate message of “Enriching lives and the world,” based on Sumitomo’s business philosophy passed down for over 400 years.
Visit www.sumitomocorp.com/en/global to learn more.