9th March 2022 in Community News, Operations, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
Construction of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base for Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the Port of Tyne has positively impacted the region’s economy with over £7.5 million re-invested throughout North-East England.
In line with the project objectives, Bowmer + Kirkland, principal contractor for the O&M base construction, are actively engaging local supply chain partners and throughout the duration of the scheme, a key focus has been placed on procuring goods and services locally.
To date, over £4.4million has been spent within the South Tyneside Local Authority area with supply chain partners, including South Tyneside based Castle Building Services Limited and Thompsons of Prudhoe Limited benefitting from the project. Numerous other sub-contractors from across the region including Newcastle based Chemplas Limited and Durham based Wyn Construction Limited have also been engaged on the project’s further £3.1million local spend.
Liz Wilson, B+K Project Manager for the Dogger Bank O&M base construction, said:
“Each project that B+K deliver provides an opportunity for us to significantly benefit the communities in which we operate. As a contractor with offices located in the North-East, we are committed to supporting regional growth by providing opportunities for local supply chain partners to engage with projects such as the Dogger Bank operations and maintenance base.”
The project, which is located at the Port of Tyne, has provided opportunities for a number of local companies including those classified as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), which account for 89% of the supply chain. Packages equating to 95% of the construction cost to date, have been awarded to MSME’s.
Mark Halliday, Dogger Bank Operations Director, said:
“We are extremely proud to be working with so many local businesses for the construction of our operations and maintenance base. We will continue to bring more North-East expertise into the project as we move into the O&M phase in order for the local community to benefit from this world leading project.”
The project commenced in September 2021 and as the project progresses, and further work packages are made available, B+K will continue to engage with supply chain partners who are based in close proximity to the project with the aim of increasing the high level of regional investment already generated by the project. The project previously announced that the base will be constructed and operated in line with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework.
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 Eni. SSE Renewables is leading on construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion. 370 jobs have so far been created associated with the long-term operations of the wind farm from the Port of Tyne. In total, over 3,000 jobs have now been created or supported through the project.
Dogger Bank will be world’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion in 2026. Due to its size and scale, 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.
7th February 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- Fin Needham is one of 6 higher engineering apprentices working for Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK on Dogger Bank Wind Farm sites.
- This week (7 – 13 February) marks National Apprentice Week, an annual celebration of apprenticeships in England
February 04, 2022: A teenager from Nafferton in East Riding of Yorkshire is helping to build the world’s largest offshore windfarm after securing an apprenticeship with the project’s civil engineering contractor.
Fin Needham (18), lives just a short distance from the sites in East Riding where the onshore work has been taking place, in preparation for the first two phases of the wind farm to connect to the National Grid near Beverley.
The teenager has been working on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm sites with Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK and is now studying towards his Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering at Coleg Cambria, with plans to move on to a degree-level Higher National Diploma in the future.
Fin is delighted to start his career on the world’s largest offshore wind farm and says his family are over the moon to see him on his way to a career in a growing industry.
“Both my parents were really pleased when I found out I had been successful in applying,” said the former Driffield School and Sixth Form student.
“I’d completed my A Levels in maths, physics and geography, and didn’t initially know what I wanted to do next.
“I had been looking at apprenticeships online, as had my mum, and in the end I applied to Jones Bros as we both recognised the company because we often drive past the Dogger Bank site.
“I really enjoyed being able to start close to home, getting involved with the hands-on aspects of engineering, using the GPS surveying equipment and helping out with trenches and the ducts that the high voltage cables will run through.
“Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, particularly two of the other apprentices who are a bit further along the course who I worked alongside so I could get my bearings.”
Fin says the company’s involvement in renewable energy projects was a big incentive in choosing the North Wales-headquartered firm.
He added:
“Low carbon projects like Dogger Bank Wind Farm are only going to get more important in the future, so the skills I’m learning will be relevant for a long time.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. When all three phases are complete in 2026, the wind farm will produce enough renewable energy for 6 million UK homes.
Jones Bros has six higher engineering apprentices and two trainee general construction operatives on site across the three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with four plant operatives having completed their qualification while working on the project.
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). In November 2021 SSE Renewables and Equinor, 50:50 joint venture partners in Dogger Bank C, announced Eni will take a 20% stake in the final phase, with SSE Renewables and Equinor maintaining 40% stakes each. The deal is expected to complete in Q1 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
Garmon Hafal, training manager at Jones Bros, said:
“We’re pleased to see how well Fin has started on the apprenticeship, and everyone out on site was very complimentary of his work.
“We are always keen to invest in our staff. Our higher apprenticeship offers degree-level qualifications with further opportunities to progress towards a Master’s in engineering and chartered engineer status.
“Higher apprenticeships are a fantastic way to start in the industry, and I would encourage anyone considering a career in civil engineering to give it some thought.”
Dogger Bank Wind farm Onshore Works Manager, Oliver Flattery, said:
“It’s great to see our supply chain giving opportunities to young people in the communities where we’re building our onshore infrastructure.
“We hope this is the start of a rewarding and exciting career for Fin.
“We welcome him to the Dogger Bank team and look forward to working with him as we build the vital infrastructure to support our net zero future.”
3rd February 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- 25 Scholarships awarded to students from the north-east of England and East Riding of Yorkshire to help young people prepare for working life in a Net Zero world.
- The students are undertaking courses focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
- The scholarships are part of a wider £1 million investment in local communities during the construction of the wind farm.
February 2022: Twenty five students from coastal communities in the north and north-east of England are being supported to fulfil their potential thanks to a scholarship of £5,000 each from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The Scholarship Fund provides grants to local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education. The grants provided this month are the first round of the Scholarship Fund with a total of 62 scholarships being awarded during the construction of the wind farm.
The students are undertaking a wide range of STEM courses from diverse subjects such as flood management and cyber security. The role of the NHS during the pandemic has clearly inspired young people with six scholars undertaking medical related degrees. There is also clearly a focus on the climate emergency with five students undertaking degrees which can help prepare for a Net Zero future.
Ethan Young (21), is from Redcar and is studying Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University. The former Middlesbrough College Apprentice, said:
“Teesside is rich in engineering history, and it is something I have always been interested in. You can change the future by the way you design and develop new technologies. I think the financial support provided by the wind farm is really immense as it allows you to fully focus your time on your studies rather than have the burden of financial worries associated with university.”
Ruby Franklin (19), from Swanland in East Riding of Yorkshire is studying Engineering at the University of Sheffield. Ruby, a former South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College student, said:
“This scholarship has helped me with financial concerns so that I can focus fully on my studies whilst also inspiring me about renewable energy in my local area.”
Joshua Moore (19), from South Shields is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. Joshua previously studied at Harton Sixth Form College. He said:
“This scholarship has helped me with my studies as it helps give me some peace of mind when it comes to repaying my student loans, allowing me to focus wholly on my studies.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be located more than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June Dogger Bank Wind Farm unveiled plans for a £1 million construction fund to support the coastal communities where its onshore infrastructure is being developed. The programme includes a significant investment in science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as an operators fund to support local causes. Further information is available here.
Lindsay Dougan, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“The quality of scholarship applications from students were very high and shows the excellent subjects being studied by local people. We are proud to help 25 young people take steps into further education and to support the workforce of the future as we continue our work to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
Picture caption: Redcar and Cleveland students Lucy Tunn (left), Ethan Young (centre) and Grace Robson (right) have all received scholarships from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
8th December 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has demonstrated its commitment to the north and north-east of England with further awards from its operator fund. In the latest round of awards 15 local community groups have been supported to help local people recover and rebuild from the pandemic and to enhance local community assets.
The Dogger Bank Operator Fund provides small grants to grass roots community projects to help enhance quality of life for local residents, contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities, and/or promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
The funding decisions are made by a panel with representatives from wind farm joint venture partners Equinor and SSE Renewables as well as independent participant Caroline Lofthouse from NOF. NOF is a not-for-profit business development organisation helping to make connections between national businesses and the energy sector.
Caroline Lofthouse, Head of Commercials & Partnerships at NOF and Cluster Manager for Energi Coast, north-east England’s offshore wind cluster, said:
“The benefits of a vibrant offshore wind industry are far reaching and the Dogger Bank Constructor Fund demonstrates how the sector makes a significant contribution to the local community as well as the economy and our renewable energy requirements. I am very proud to be part of this initiative, which is helping some important causes and organisations in the north of England.”
In East Riding of Yorkshire, Cherry Tree Community Centre has been supported to create new recipe bags for local residents. The bags provide healthy and nutritious meal ideas which can feed the whole family. Also in the region Men in Sheds Beverley has been provided support to enhance their facilities. This will enable more local older people to meet up, learn new skills and complete craftwork for the community. The Men in Sheds initiative is used by lots of local people, especially those who experience isolation or who are recovering from health complications including cancer and strokes.
Jo Ramsay, Manager at Cherry Tree Community Centre, said:
“We are extremely grateful for the support from Dogger Wind Farm. The community pantry was set up in Covid as lots of people lost an income, jobs and family members. We currently help support 800 adults and 500 children with food and emergency supplies from gas, electric and hygiene products. The recipe bags are a big success. Feedback from families and individuals is that it’s nice to follow a recipe and cook a healthy meal instead of convenience foods”
In South Tyneside, Wilby Roc has been funded to deliver a community well-being day. The charity recognises that many local people have had a challenging year and will deliver a well-being day which will allow community members to try new activities and crafts and learn well-being techniques. Also in the region, Bede’s Helping Hands has been supported to set up a job search club in their premises. The facility will enable local people to develop CVs, search for jobs and complete on-line training.
Danielle Pollard, Education Director at Wilby Rocs, said:
‘”The grant from the Dogger Bank Wind Farm will go towards essential well-being services. The people of South Tyneside have been through so much and we want to create a day where we can get people together and find out how to improve well-being, physical and mental health. I give a huge thanks to Dogger Bank Wind Farm from Wilby Roc’s and the people of South Tyneside.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be located more than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June Dogger Bank Wind Farm unveiled plans for a £1 million construction fund to support the coastal communities where its onshore infrastructure is being developed. The programme includes a significant investment in science, technology, engineering and maths provision, university scholarships as well as an operators fund to support local causes. Further information is available at www.doggerbank.com/about/community/
The groups to receive awards in the latest round and how they used their grants:
East Riding:
- Cherry Trees Community Centre – to provide recipe bags for local families
- Long Riston Playing Fields – to re-develop a children’s play park
- Rickaby Village Hall Committee – new kitchen equipment
- Men in Sheds Beverley – safety enhancements
- Beverley FM – community work experience placements
- Kilham School PTA – outside STEM learning area
- Nature Tots – equipment to support outdoor play group
- Wombles Beverley – litter picking equipment
- Woodmansey School PTA – sports equipment
South Tyneside:
- Bede’s Helping Hands Food Bank – setting up job search club
- Bliss Ability – running community support group for people with depression
- Hedworthfield Community Association – outdoor seating
- Williby Rocs CIC – community wellbeing day
- Action Station – volunteer expenses
- Kayaks – support for a club for children with specialist needs
22nd September 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news, Uncategorised
- Youngsters learn about importance of health and safety in offshore wind sector.
- Nottinghamshire-based firm nmcn shines a light on the construction industry.
- nmcn to donate career storybook to every Primary School in East Riding.
Representatives from the team building the world’s largest offshore wind farm took part in a health promotion event to inspire young people at an East Riding primary school.
The week-long series of health-focused events was organised by Woodmansey CE Primary School, with the Dogger Bank team invited along to address the health and safety-related aspects of the offshore wind industry.
A representative from nmcn, a construction firm working on behalf of Dogger Bank’s tier one supplier Hitachi ABB Power Grids, shared exerts from the company’s “When I grow up” career story book. nmcn, which is supporting the construction of the wind farm’s first onshore convertor station, near Beverley, is donating a copy of the award-winning book to every primary school in East Riding. More information about the book is available at https://nmcn.com/news/when-i-grow-up-nmcn-childrens-book/
Woodmansey CE Primary School Head of School, Bethan Nicholls, said:
“When we first heard about the role Woodmansey was playing in the installation of the largest offshore wind farm, we knew we had to share this journey with the children. Our annual Health Week provided the perfect platform for Rachel and Chris to come and share the benefits of wind farms and how the children’s very own village was being used.
“STEM is such a vital area of the curriculum and events such as this provide the children with real experience of the industry, hopefully inspiring some of our children to seek future careers within the science, technology, engineering or maths sectors. We are very grateful to Rachel and Chris for their engagement with us.”
Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Rachel Lawrence, said:
“The onshore cable route for the wind farm runs directly underneath the village of Woodmansey, and local children would have seen critical work going on near their school very recently. So it’s been great to have the opportunity to come in and talk to the children about how those cables will eventually transmit renewable energy to millions of UK homes, as well as sharing important health and safety messages from across the green energy sector.
“The children enjoyed trying on some protective clothing and asked some impressive questions about the energy transition.
“It was also great to have the support of nmcn to share their impressive career storybook, which they’re offering to all 124 primary schools in East Riding.”
In June Dogger Bank Wind Farm unveiled plans to invest £1 million in coastal communities during its construction. The programme will put science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), at the heart of children’s education, helping them prepare for jobs that will be vital to the green economic recovery of the UK. Local community organisations can also apply for grants up to £500 at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/
The East Riding part of the programme was developed in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, providing opportunities for all 124 primary schools in the county to increase and expand their STEM provision. The programme will also be rolled out on Teesside where the wind farm’s third phase connects to the National Grid, as well as South Tyneside where the operation and maintenance base will be located.
nmcn Business Development Manager, Chris Withers, said:
“The Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a major development which will deliver a number of benefits for both the public and supply chain. Through nmcn’s involvement in the project on behalf of Hitachi ABB Power Grids providing the civil engineering scope, we are also delighted to be able to visit Woodmansey Primary School to provide an insight into the construction industry, deliver health and safety advice and inspire future generations.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is to be built more than 130km off the Yorkshire coast in the North Sea, is currently being developed in three 1.2GW phases: Dogger Bank A, B and C.
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40 per cent), Equinor (40 per cent) and Eni (20 per cent), and will connect the National Grid between Beverley and Cottingham. Dogger Bank C is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and Equinor and will connect the National Grid on Teesside.
Work on the onshore convertor station for Dogger Bank A began in the summer, at a site off the A1079 between Beverley and Cottingham. The convertor station will take the electricity generated by the wind turbines from the first phase of the wind farm in the North Sea, and convert it from HVDC to HVAC current, before the power passes through the adjacent main substation into the National Grid for distribution to homes and businesses.
nmcn is carrying out civil engineering work at the site on behalf of Hitachi ABB Power Grids. Hull-based Ashcourt Group previously carried out preparation work at the A1079 site on behalf of Hitachi ABB Power Grids.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm awarded contracts to Hitachi ABB Power Grids to install its HVDC Light® technology to connect the transmission link on all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, making it the UK’s first HVDC-connected windfarm.
