Latest news

Peterson creates 20 new jobs in north-east to support shared access contract for two major offshore wind farms

9th November 2022 in Construction, Project news, Supply Chain

International energy logistics provider Peterson has been awarded a contract to provide facilities management for shared access to the onshore converter stations for two major offshore wind farms, with the creation of 20 local jobs.

The three-year contract will see Peterson support with the grounds (summer and winter) maintenance, drainage and site security for the shared access areas of a 20-acre converter station construction site adjacent to Wilton International in Teesside on behalf of Dogger Bank C and Sofia offshore wind projects.

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is 100% owned by RWE and Dogger Bank C, the third phase in the wider Dogger Bank Wind Farm, is owned by SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and  Vårgrønn (20%). The projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity, including joint contracts for civil engineering and facilities management.

Sandra Hawkins, General Manager for England at Peterson, said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to apply our expertise as part of the development of these world-leading wind farms which will deliver significant, long-term benefit to the local area in the years ahead.”

Jason Hendry, Managing Director for England and Renewables Strategy at Peterson, said:

“This contract builds on our existing service offering to the offshore wind sector and aligns with our wider strategy to provide integrated solutions to our customers. 

“We look forward to working with  all involved to deliver more sustainable energy solutions to households in the UK.”

The contract marks an exciting time for Peterson who are on track to reach carbon neutral status across their global operations by the end of this year.

Supply Chain Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Robin Banning, said:

“On behalf of Dogger Bank C and Sofia we welcome Peterson’s expertise to our team, bringing local knowledge and capability to the shared site of both project’s converter stations as they continue to take shape.

“This contract will provide around 20 new UK jobs in our supply chain, and will present new opportunities for employment in the north-east of England where a number of our onshore assets will be located, along with our offshore construction hub at Able Seaton .”

 

 

 

 

 

Vårgrønn acquires Plenitude’s 20% interest in the world’s largest offshore wind farm

17th October 2022 in Project news

Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Plenitude and HitecVision, has acquired Plenitude’s 20% stake in Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Olav Hetland, CEO of Vårgrønn, said:

“We are pleased to complete the transaction and appreciate the trust from our shareholders to focus their offshore wind efforts in Northern Europe through the expansion of Vårgrønn. We look forward to a strong cooperation with our experienced partners SSE Renewables and Equinor to construct and operate the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Vårgrønn will actively contribute to the project’s success while Dogger Bank learnings will enrich the skills and experience of the Vårgrønn’s team and make us an even stronger partner in the race for licenses in all our key markets.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in the North Sea more than 130km from the Yorkshire coast in three 1.2GW phases known as Dogger Bank A, B and C.

The world-class renewable energy project, which will be capable of powering 6 million UK homes annually on completion, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).

 

New Project Director for world’s largest offshore wind farm

10th October 2022 in Press releases, Project news

Olly Cass has been appointed by SSE Renewables as the new Project Director of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

The appointment comes following the promotion of the former Project Director, Steve Wilson, to the role of Director of Offshore Capital Projects for SSE Renewables.

Olly Cass said:

“Having been the Finance Director for the past 3 years I’m really looking forward to this new chapter on the project and to continuing to work with such a talented team.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time on the project, with manufacturing ongoing at multiple facilities around the world, the early stages of offshore installation works underway and first power on Dogger Bank A scheduled for July 2023.

“The world’s largest offshore wind farm is a standout project which gives the whole team the ability to make a real difference on some of the biggest issues of the day. Once all three phases are fully operational Dogger Bank Wind Farm will deliver clean renewable power for 6 million UK homes, or about 5% of the UK’s electricity demand.”

Steve Wilson said:

“I am delighted to have been able to appoint Olly as the new Project Director and given his extensive knowledge and experience of Dogger Bank Wind Farm I have no doubt that he has the capabilities needed to lead the construction phase of this industry-leading project.

“I can say from my experience in the role that it is an honour to be involved in both Dogger Bank and in establishing an affordable, resilient and secure source of electricity for UK homes and businesses.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in the North Sea more than 130km from the Yorkshire coast in three phases known as Dogger Bank A, B and C. Dogger Bank A and B phases will connect to the national grid near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, while Dogger Bank C will connect to the grid near Redcar, in Teesside.   

The world-class renewable energy project, which will be capable of powering 6 million UK homes annually on completion, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%).  

Ends

Hughes Subsea to provide anode installation on Dogger Bank A

29th September 2022 in Construction, Project news, Supply Chain

Hughes Subsea Services Ltd has signed a contract with Dogger Bank Wind farm to provide vessel, crew and equipment to complete the 2023 internal anode installation campaign across the first phase of the wind farm.

The contract will support up to 60 jobs in the UK supply chain.

Hughes will install the internal cathodic protection systems across the complete 95 wind turbines being installed at Dogger Bank A, using a walk-to-work offshore support vessel.

The system is designed to protect the turbines from corrosion during the wind farm’s 35-year operational lifetime and is being manufactured by South Tyneside specialist, Metec UK.

The work scope is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2023 and has an expected duration of 2 months.

Ian Hughes, Managing Director at Hughes, said:

“We’re delighted to have been chosen by Dogger Bank Wind Farm for the Anode Installation contract award, we look forward to working with the developers on delivering and building on a successful project.”

 Dogger Bank Wind Farm Senior Project Manager, Alan Borland, said:

“Hughes will play an important role in protecting our assets from seawater corrosion during the operational lifetime of the world’s largest offshore wind farm by installing our internal foundation anodes”

 “The contract will also support an additional 60 roles in the UK supply chain when this work is underway from Spring 2023.”

Picture caption: Hughes Subsea Services Ltd has signed a contract with Dogger Bank Wind farm to provide vessel, crew and equipment to complete the 2023 internal anode installation campaign across the first phase of the wind farm.

Ends 

 

 

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm extends its support for Whitby Lobster Hatchery

23rd September 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news

Whitby Lobster Hatchery has announced that two offshore wind farms will increase and extend their support to help the charity officially open its doors for the first time and continue its work to create a sustainable future for the Yorkshire coast and the local Whitby area.

Both Dogger Bank C and Sofia offshore wind farms will provide funds to the charity to help with the installation of the sophisticated hatchery equipment at its Whitby Fish Market site, which will be used to enable the of release of 100,000 juvenile lobsters into the ocean each year.

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is 100% owned by RWE and Dogger Bank C, the third phase in the wider Dogger Bank Wind Farm, is owned by SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%). The projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity and to reduce impacts on local stakeholders, including the fishing community.

The Hatchery’s small but knowledgeable team works closely with the local fishing industry on its three aims of conservation, primarily of increasing local lobster populations; education to teach young and old about the marine environment, and promoting research in partnership with local universities. Its objectives align closely with those of both the wind farm projects and their owners.

Whitby Lobster Hatchery General Manager, Joe Redfern said:

In what has been a concerning past few months for the North East coast, with extremely low lobster numbers and wash-ups on beaches, the hatchery hopes to be part of the solution releasing juvenile lobster into impacted areas. 

“This funding, and the earlier support provided by both the Sofia and Dogger Bank projects has been hugely influential in helping us deliver our ambitions for the Whitby Lobster Hatchery. It has allowed us to continue to make great steps of progress with the hatchery installation.. Everyone at the hatchery project is extremely grateful for the support we have received from Sofia and Dogger Bank, and we look forward to collaborating in the future.

The two separate wind farm projects are sited on Dogger Bank in the middle of the North Sea, more than 190 kilometres from the north-east coast of England. The power they produce will be transmitted by export cables that arrive on shore between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, on Teesside.

Elizabeth Reynolds, Fisheries Liaison Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:

“The charity has made huge strides since we initially lent our support, and we’re delighted to be able to help them reach new milestones along with neighbouring Sofia.”

“The project will undoubtedly bring huge educational, tourism and conservation benefits to Whitby and its surrounding communities, as well as helping the local fishing industry and supporting a more sustainable future in line with our own ambitions as a developer of renewable energy infrastructure.”

Carol Cooper, Sofia’s Fisheries Liaison Manager said:

“Sofia is proud to support the charity and acknowledge the great work that Joe and others have done to progress the Hatchery, which will give tangible benefits not only to the local fisheries industry, but to the wider community as well.

“By increasing awareness of the marine environment and importance of conservation, the hatchery will become a focal point in Whitby, benefitting the generations to come”.

As well as helping with the hatchery equipment, the support from the two offshore wind farms will be a catalyst for Whitby Lobster Hatchery to deliver its conservation aims of releasing 100,000 juvenile lobsters into the ocean every year. By rearing lobster larvae in the hatchery, the charity will dramatically boost the lobsters’ chance of survival. The conservation charity has high ambitions to ensure the protection and conservation of lobster populations in the region and help ensure the future of our fishing fleets.

They also hope to inspire young people on the importance of looking after their local environment and create an institute for important marine and fisheries research. The facility will provide an excellent opportunity for jobs and training. Recently they have taken their first intern from Teesside University as well as providing amazing experiences for volunteers. Check out their website if you would like to get involved.

Construction work at its fish market location in Whitby has now started, with the specialist designed lobster hatchery due to be open in October. Later this year work will begin to establish a visitors’ centre adjoining the hatchery. The Marine Discovery Centre will provide insight into the fishing industry, our native marine wildlife, and the importance of conservation projects such as the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.

For further information: www.whitbylobsterhatchery.co.uk