Latest news

Dogger Bank Operations and Maintenance Base wins Net Zero and Sustainability Constructing Excellence in the North-East awards

20th June 2023 in Operations, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain

O&M Base Collaboration Area

The Dogger Bank Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Base has been awarded the Net Zero and Sustainability awards in the 2023 Constructing Excellence in the North-East (CENE) awards.

CENE is a business support organisation for the North-East construction, dedicated to delivering improved industry performance in order to achieve a better built environment. CENE are committed to working with industry, its customers, and the government to make change happen and deliver prosperity.

The awards are testament to the design of the Dogger Bank O&M base, which has been constructed in line with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework to meet the highest energy efficiency standards. 383 Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed for renewable energy generation, along with 20 electric vehicle charging points for staff and visitors. Less visible signs include the timber framework for the office buildings, the recycled steel structure for the warehouse and the highly efficient heating and cooling system.

In the United Kingdom, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) provides an industry-acknowledged framework for determining the Net Zero Carbon (NZC) performance of the built environment, both during construction and operational stages. This framework incorporates two strands, one for NZC construction and one for NZC operations, both of which apply to the base.

The awards are shared with Ryder Architecture, headquartered in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, were responsible for the building’s design, Fairhurst who provided the civil and structural design, Bowmer & Kirkland who were responsible for construction of the base and CBRE who provided overall project management alongside Equinor.

Accepting the award on behalf of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Prepare for Operations Manager Andrew Saunders said:

“We are proud to have won the Net Zero and Sustainability awards for the Dogger Bank Operations and Maintenance Base. The design of the building was focused not only on its functionality to operate the world’s largest wind farm, but also on its sustainable credentials, and it is thrilling that the industry has recognised the work we have done.”

The CENE Awards took place on Friday 16th June at The Grand Hotel in Gosforth Park, with the Dogger Bank O&M base having been shortlisted in the Net Zero, Building Project of the Year, and Sustainability categories. As winners of the Constructing Excellence in the North-East Awards, Dogger Bank will go forward to the National Constructing Excellence Awards later in the year and is hopeful for further recognition for the South Tyneside-located O&M base.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

Local artwork installed at Dogger Bank Operations and Maintenance Base

18th April 2023 in Community News, Operations, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain

Dogger Bank Wind Farm has partnered with Newcastle art gallery Gallagher & Turner to invest in local artwork which is being displayed permanently at the Operations and Maintenance Base in Port of Tyne.

  • Major investment in local creative industry
  • Over 30 pieces will be displayed
  • All works to be displayed are by North East artists
  • Employees invited to select the type of works to be displayed

The partnership represents a major investment in the local creative industry with over 30 pieces to be displayed, all by artists from North East England.

Clare Turner, Partner, Gallagher & Turner said: “The request to provide art for the Dogger Bank Operations and Maintenance base was an amazing opportunity for us to be able to assemble a portfolio of unique pieces by artists who work in the region.  We immediately felt creatives whose practice relates to the local environment, the narratives of the Tyne, the North Sea coast, its history and the unique power of the landscape of the North East, were going to connect best with all our shared environmental concerns. We were also delighted to be asked to work with an organisation that is making a profound effort to connect with the local area commercially as well as visually by supporting a small independent art gallery.”

Employees at the O&M base helped select the type of works to be displayed, ensuring that the pieces would be enjoyed and appreciated by staff working at the state-of-the-art facility. Among the many artists featured, art works include a new Ringed Plover painted commission by Paul Henery, and Crispian Heath will be creating two new large scale glass commissions.

Over the last thirty years we have been enthusiastic to run an exciting programme of continually changing exhibitions and with a pool of local talent to draw on we were able to propose a selection of original pieces for the building.  We had some great involvement and feedback from the staff who were excited to see our proposals and going forward we are hopeful they will be continually inspired by these artworks” added Clare.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm plans to continue the partnership with Gallagher & Turner with a yearly Purchase Prize for art students at Sunderland and Newcastle Universities for the next 4 years, with the selected works to be displayed at the facility. Together, they also plan to commission three original murals to be displayed, working with the local community, South Tyneside Council and Foundation Press.

Felicity Wann, Operations Leader at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “We wanted our new O&M base to reflect the Dogger Bank strategy of investing in the local community, as well as giving employees the opportunity to shape the O&M base and really make it their own.  By investing in art by local artists we have been able to do both these things.  Working with a fantastic local gallery, who guided us throughout and ensured we have a cohesive collection, reflecting the Dogger Bank environmental focus and the landscapes of North East England, has made the whole process a joy.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

The wind farm, which will generate 3.6 GW of capacity, is being built in three 1.2 GW phases, named Dogger Bank A, B & C, and will be able to power the equivalent of 6 million UK homes on completion.

Picture caption: North East artists visit Dogger Bank Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance Base.  From Left to Right: Rosie Morris and Clare Turner (Gallagher & Turner), Rhiannon Robinson, Paul Henery, Lily Senner, Alex Charrington, Jill Campbell, Mark Halliday (Dogger Bank Wind Farm), Crispian Heath, and Felicity Wann and Tom Nightingale (Dogger Bank Wind Farm).

School choir blows away guests with performance at wind farm base opening ceremony

20th March 2023 in Community News, Operations

School choir

A South Shields primary school choir sang at the official opening of the operations and maintenance base for Dogger Bank Wind Farm at the Port of Tyne.

St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, attended the opening on behalf of the borough.

Jenny Parker, deputy headteacher and music lead at the primary school, said: “As a school situated in Tyne Dock, it has been wonderful to be involved in such an exciting event taking place on our doorstep and to raise the profile of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion.

“To be there at the opening has sparked interest in the children to find out more about renewable energy and the positive impact it has on our world.”

The choir comprises 29 pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6. They sang four songs to the guests as they arrived in the warehouse: Something Just Like This by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers, Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves, Fight Song by Rachel Platten and concluded with Big River by Jimmy Nail.

“The choir sang beautifully, and we received lots of compliments about their performance, particularly their rendition of Big River, which everyone loved,” added Mrs Parker.

Ethan Murry, nine, a Year 4 pupil, said: “We were very brave to sing in front of the mayor and the other important guests.”

Jesse Carr, nine, a pupil in Year 4, said: “I felt really underdressed walking in as everyone was in suits and ties.  It was really good fun though.”

Holly Walker, eight, also in Year 4, added: “I thought it was cool that we were given hats and scarves to wear.”

Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager for Equinor said: “The ethos of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is to support local communities and our guests expected local dignitaries to attend the opening ceremony. However, we kept the choir a surprise and they far exceeded our expectations. Feedback so far is that this was the highlight for guests and even UK Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart who attended the event has sent his personal thanks to the brilliant school choir. The acapella version of Big River was amazing for all to hear”.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

South Tyneside Music Service emailed schools for interest to sing at the official opening and SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School was chosen.

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm innovation workshop focuses on robotics in operations and maintenance

29th November 2022 in Events, Operations, Press releases, Supply Chain

  • Event Date:
  • Location:

Dogger Bank Wind Farm today welcomes 80 supply chain representatives to an innovation workshop, focusing on robotics in offshore wind operations and maintenance.

The event, held at the National Innovation Centre for Data in Newcastle, is being delivered by business development organisation NOF, which specialises in the UK energy sector. Bringing together representatives from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, North East England’s offshore wind cluster Energi Coast, the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership and the Dogger Bank operations team, the event aims to identify new technologies and suppliers that can help improve operational efficiencies on this flagship project and across the industry.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm has taken an innovative approach to operations and maintenance of an offshore wind farm, using the latest technology available to ensure safety and reliability in operating the wind farm, which will begin generating power in 2023. Digitalisation and the usage of emerging technology, such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables and an unmanned offshore substation, an industry-first, are core tenets of the development of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Mark Halliday, Operations Director for Dogger Bank said: “We are delighted to be hosting so many local suppliers today in North East England. We are committed to providing opportunities to businesses throughout the operational phase of the wind farm and we see robotics as an area that can support development of a competitive UK supply chain. There is also a great opportunity to transfer technologies from other industries and the event is designed to help suppliers enter offshore wind from adjacent sectors such as oil & gas and automotive, which are already strengths of the region.”

In addition to offshore wind sector partners, the event will also include representatives from Dogger Bank Tier 1 suppliers for the operations phase including North Star Renewables and GE. The operations team will have a focus on inspection, maintenance and repair using robotics both above and below the seabed as well as to improve safety and operational efficiencies. There will also be a focus on key components including turbine blade inspection.

Tony Quinn, Energi Coast chair said: “Events like this one really bring home the value of having Equinor and their JV partners embedded in our region as well as one of the world’s largest windfarms on our virtual doorstep.  For technology developers to have such ready access to ‘end users’ significantly reduces their time and cost of bringing new and innovative products to market.

Technology which helps to further our understanding of offshore wind, through remote inspection, condition monitoring or indeed maintenance will ultimately drive improved reliability and improved safety by removing the need for manual intervention.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130km off the north-east coast of England and is being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. SSE Renewables is leading on construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion. Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW 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 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm welcomes local supply chain to Port of Tyne

22nd November 2022 in Community News, Operations, Press releases, Supply Chain

O&M Base

Dogger Bank Wind Farm today welcomed 80 local supply chain representatives to the Port of Tyne, the home of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base for what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion. 

Delivered by business development organisation, NOF, which specialises in the UK energy sector, the event aims to showcase the Port of Tyne as a green energy destination and centre for innovation across many industries from logistics and automotive to leisure and renewables, located at the heart of North East England.  

Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager for Dogger Bank said: “We are delighted to be hosting so many local suppliers today with our partners Port of Tyne. We are committed to providing local opportunities to businesses throughout the operational phase of the wind farm for its expected lifetime of 35 years. Over 50% of the O&M base build spend was with local companies and we hope to maintain this philosophy into our operations, providing long-term opportunities to the energy supply chain and the local business community.” 

The Dogger Bank Wind Farm operations team will also provide a project update and highlight future opportunities for the supply chain, before providing a tour of the new state-of-the-art O&M base, which has been constructed and will be operated in line with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework. 

Matt Beeton, CEO of Port of Tyne said: “Today’s event is a great opportunity to mobilise the region’s skills and supply chain for the fantastic green opportunities on the horizon.  The clean energy cluster we’re creating at the Port of Tyne together with the Dogger Bank JV partners will help repurpose today’s skills to take advantage of tomorrow’s opportunities.  Through sustained investment in upgraded infrastructure, we’re determined to ensure that our green energy port provides the perfect development platform as the UK accelerates its path to a cleaner and greener future.” 

The Dogger Bank Wind Farm project team has 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. The project is proud to be working with a number of local suppliers following these activities, including South Tyneside based Metec UK. Key equipment for Dogger Bank has also been tested at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Test Centre in Blyth, including blades and nacelles for GE’s Haliade-X Turbine.  

Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, said: “NOF is proud to be supporting Dogger Bank Wind Farm with these O&M tours. Not only does it present an opportunity to showcase the base at the Port of Tyne but allows supply chain businesses and key stakeholders to see first hand what an amazing facility this is and how it will be a long term opportunity for the local business community.” 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130km off the north-east coast of England and is being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. SSE Renewables is leading on construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion. Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW 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 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes. 

More about Dogger Bank: 

The Dogger Bank O&M Base was constructed at the Port of Tyne, with construction completed in Q4 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 (SOVs) to the project.  

One rotation of GE’s Haliade-X turbine can power a UK household for two days. 277 units of the 13MW and 14MW turbines will be used on Dogger Bank.  

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).  

If you would like to register your interest as a potential supplier to Dogger Bank Wind Farm, please go to https://doggerbank.com/supply-chain/supplier-registration/