Dogger Bank Wind Farm Schedules O&M Supply Chain Tour

Dogger Bank Wind Farm will hold a series of supply chain events throughout 2022 aimed at showcasing opportunities during the operations and maintenance phase of the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.

Dogger Bank is located more than 130 kilometres off the north-east coast of England and is being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Eni. SSE Renewables is leading on construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.

Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2 GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply five per cent of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.

The Dogger Bank team will work with the northeast England-based national business development organisation NOF to deliver the events. They will take place throughout the year and include both online and in person activities, as follows:

1. Introductory Webinar – Online (Zoom). 17th February.
2. Meet the Buyers Event – Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durham, TS21 2EH. 12th April. 
3. Skills Webinar – Online (Zoom). 19th May.
4. Business Dinner (invite only) – Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, Co. Durham, DH1 1TD. 09th June. 
5. Innovation Workshop – Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG. 20th September. 
6. Operations & Maintenance Tour – Port of Tyne. 22nd November. 

”We are delighted to be continuing our work with NOF to connect the wider supply chain with our Tier 1 suppliers and provide awareness of the opportunities available during the operations and maintenance phase of the wind farm,” Mark Halliday, Dogger Bank Operations Director, said.

”Dogger Bank will be operational for 35 years and we will rely on the supply chain to provide key products and services, bring new technologies and innovations to the project and help develop the workforce of the future. We look forward to engaging with the industry and providing opportunities to be part of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”

The construction phase of the project is underway and the team previously worked with NOF to deliver a series of ‘meet the buyer’ events to help prepare the supply chain for opportunities to get involved, by connecting Tier 1 suppliers with the local and UK supply chains.

According to the developer, more than 3,000 UK roles have been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of the wind farm to date.

”The UK, and in particular, north-east England has a world-class offshore wind supply chain, which can apply its extensive experience and technology-led solutions to support the operations and maintenance phase of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. This landmark renewables project will also present opportunities for companies yet to join the energy transition, which can diversify their skills products and services into the offshore wind market,” Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, said.

The Dogger Bank O&M Base is being constructed at the Port of Tyne and is due to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The project is the UK’s first HVDC-connected wind farm and will feature the world’s first unmanned HVDC offshore platforms.

North Star Renewables has been contracted to provide four Service Operation Vessels to the project.

277 units of the 13MW and 14MW GE Haliade-X wind turbines will be used on Dogger Bank. The wind farm is scheduled to deliver first power in summer 2023 and the full commissioning is expected in 2026.

Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40 per cent), Equinor (40 per cent) and Eni (20 per cent).

In November 2021 SSE Renewables and Equinor, 50:50 joint venture partners in Dogger Bank C, announced Eni will take a 20 per cent stake in the final phase, with SSE Renewables and Equinor maintaining 40 per cent stakes each, in a deal that is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2022 subject to regulatory approvals.