11th October 2022 in Community News, Press releases
A mechanical engineering student from Middlesbrough College who received a Dogger Bank Wind Farm scholarship earlier this year has had a behind-the-scenes tour of the project’s onshore works near Redcar.
Anthony Bell, who is studying for a Higher National Diploma (HND), was given an exclusive insight into the onshore works for the world’s largest offshore wind farm when he visited the convertor station construction site.
The Redcar student is keen to pursue his interest in renewable energy and was recently awarded a Dogger Bank Wind Farm scholarship to support his engineering studies. He hopes to visit the site again when the mechanical and electrical works have started.
Anthony said:
“It was a great experience to see how the Dogger Bank project is coming alive. I plan on using all of my visits, experiences and knowledge for my dissertation next year. Thank you to Chris and the team for a phenomenal day and making me feel so welcome. It has certainly inspired me.”
Chris O’Donnell, Site Manager for DBC Onshore Converter Station, said:
“Anthony was a pleasure to meet. He was friendly, polite, attentive, and interested in what we showed him on-site, which included the HVDC/AC cable routes and the OCS platform Works.
It’s great to share our journey with one of our Dogger Bank Wind Farm scholars and bring the project to life for the next generation of industry experts.”
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%).
Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Scholarship Fund provides grants of £5,000 to 50 local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education.
The scholarship fund focuses on the areas of East Riding of Yorkshire, and Redcar and Cleveland, where the windfarm connects to the National Grid, as well as South Tyneside, where the Operation and Maintenance Base will be located.
Students are reminded the scheme will reopen to new applicants in Summer 2023. Further details and how to apply next year can be found at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/.
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Picture caption: Chris O’Donnell and Anthony Bell
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
22nd August 2022 in Community News, Press releases
- The scholarship fund will support students undertaking courses focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses, to help young people prepare for working life in a net zero world.
- The programme is open to students in South Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland and East Riding of Yorkshire.
- 62 scholarships are available during the construction of the wind farm, for students in these communities studying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects to support the cost of further education.
Students from coastal communities in the north and north-east of England are reminded that a new scholarship fund closes for applications in less than two weeks. Students can apply for a new scholarship fund to prepare them for working life in a net zero world.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Scholarship Fund provides grants of £5,000 to local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education, with a total of 62 scholarships being awarded during the world’s largest wind farm’s construction phase.
The scholarship fund focuses on the areas of East Riding of Yorkshire, and Redcar and Cleveland, where the windfarm connects to the National Grid, as well as South Tyneside, where the Operation and Maintenance Base will be located.
The second round of the scholarship fund has proven very popular with lots of applications already received but students are reminded they only have until 1 September 2022 to apply for the second round of support. Further details and how to apply can be found at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/.
Steve Wilson, Project Director from Dogger Bank Wind Farm said
“Our scholarship fund has proven very popular with local students and we are delighted with the quality of applications we have already received but we remind local students the second round will close next month. We look forward to supporting and inspiring the workforce of the future as we continue our work to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
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 Plenitude, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June 2021, 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 at www.doggerbank.com/about/community/
Further details on the scholarship fund and the community investment from the wind farm can be found here.
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Picture caption: The scholarship fund will support students studying science, technology, engineering, and maths, to help prepare them for the highly skilled jobs in a net zero world.
15th July 2022 in Community News, Events, Press releases
- Event Date: 13th July 2022
- Location:
An outdoor ‘gallery’ featuring art works produced by students from Outwood Academy Bydales, Marske-by-the-Sea has been officially opened this week at the Redcar landfall construction site of two offshore wind farms.
The offshore export cables of both Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and Dogger Bank C, the third phase of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, will come ashore between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, just 200 metres from the Academy.
The young artists responsible for the colourful design, Year 7 and 8 students Autumn Duffy, Rosie Gibson and Talia Hall cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the ‘gallery’ which covers the hoardings of the landfall construction site.
They had worked along with their art teacher Kelly Smith to produce seven stunning images under the theme, “Love where you live”, which include local landmarks such as the Redcar Beacon and icons including Lemon Tops.
The artwork will be in situ for the duration of the construction works.
Sofia is 100% owned by RWE and 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.
The 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.
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4th July 2022 in Community News, Events, Press releases
Over 3000 primary and secondary school children in the North East of England are set to attend STEMFest Net Zero across 3 days, with Dogger Bank Wind Farm sponsoring the Power and Natural Resources Zone.
STEMFest will deliver a Net Zero theme in direct response to the growing renewable energy sector in the region. The event will showcase the range of green energy businesses, careers, and job roles available across the region both now and in the future. STEMFest will take place at St. James Park in Newcastle, and is being delivered by North East STEM Hub, Newcastle United Foundation, RTC North and STEM Ambassador Hub North East.
With our Operation and Maintenance Base located at the Port of Tyne, Dogger Bank Wind Farm community fund is working closely with South Tyneside Council to provide funding for local school children to travel to and from STEMFest.
Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager said “STEM initiatives are at the heart of the Dogger Bank Community Fund and we are excited to support this major event in Newcastle, where we are building our operations and maintenance base. We hope to inspire young people in the region to study STEM subjects and enter careers in industries such as the energy sector. North East England is a leading UK cluster for offshore wind and we look forward to showcasing this to the next generation.
We are also working with South Tyneside Council in order to make the event accessible to local school children and are providing funding to transport students to and from the event. We are proud to be delivering such important services that can make a real difference to the lives of people in our local communities, in addition to the jobs and supply chain benefits created by the wind farm”.
In addition to supporting STEM provision in the classroom and STEM activities, 62 students from the North East of England and East Riding of Yorkshire will receive a scholarship to help with the cost of further education qualifications while studying STEM subjects, with the first 25 already awarded.
The £1 million investment also includes an Operators Fund to support other local causes to the value of up to £500. Community projects and local organisations in South Tyneside can apply at www.doggerbank.com.
Additional community funding will be allocated throughout the operational phase of the windfarm. The Dogger Bank Wind Farm STEM investment is one of the largest commitments to skills ever made by the offshore wind sector.
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 Plenitude, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm for its lifetime, from a new base to be constructed at Port of Tyne.
