Up to 30 new jobs will be created after a major wind turbine contract was awarded to east coast offshore firm 3sun Group.

Eastern Daily Press: A major contract has been awarded to 3Sun Group. Pic: submittedA major contract has been awarded to 3Sun Group. Pic: submitted

The contract is to service Swedish energy group Vattenfall's 686 onshore and offshore turbines across five different countries and is the biggest contract in the history of the Yarmouth-based business.

The firm 3sun Group, which already employs 200 technicians, will carry out statutory inspections on the turbines and assets in the UK, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.

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Eastern Daily Press: 3 Sun working on the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm. Pic: Alan O'Neill3 Sun working on the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm. Pic: Alan O'Neill

It comes as 3sun Group, founded by Yarmouth businessman Graham Hacon, was last month acquired by energy company Worley in a deal worth in excess of £20m. The firm, launched by Mr Hacon 12 years ago, has between 15 and 25% of the market in offshore wind inspection services, installation and maintenance in Europe and the UK. It is currently inspecting more than 70% of the UK's offshore wind turbines and has installed more than 4,000.

Danielle Lane, Vattenfall's UK country manager, said: "Vattenfall is delighted to sign up 3sun Group, not just because it's a great Norfolk business benefiting from our strong presence in the region, but also because the deal offers a great export opportunity for a leading UK business.

"The offshore wind sector deal between industry and government commits to both growing the UK sector workforce and exporting the UK's expertise. We achieve both with this 3sun Group deal."

Mr Hacon, 3sun Group founder and now vice-president of Offshore Wind (Global) for Worley, said: "This is the biggest framework agreement in our 12-year history and will create 20 to 30 new jobs, which will support the growth of our international multi-skilled workforce."

Vattenfall has 411 turbines on offshore sites in the UK, Germany and Sweden and 275 on onshore sites in UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The news comes ahead of next week's Offshore Wind Week and its events celebrating the achievements of offshore wind in the east of England and the UK.