23rd August 2021 in Blogs, Community News, Project news
“With the risk of employment uncertainty in the post-pandemic world, and with many of our young people impacted by education and social challenges, we have an opportunity to use our net zero future as a springboard to turn this tide,” explains Lindsay Dougan, Community Investment Manager on Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
“Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a key asset for the north and north-east of England. It will create and support thousands of jobs, as well as ensuring clean energy for future generations with the capacity to power 6 million UK homes. We take seriously our responsibility to develop the wind farm sustainably and part of this is our social commitment to share the benefit with coastal communities. We will invest £1 million during the construction of the wind farm and have committed to focusing on enhancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) attainment to ensure young people are prepared for the jobs of the future.
“We made a commitment when we were developing the wind farm that we would invest in STEM as we have a responsibility to make sure young people are ready for the job opportunities on their doorstep. What we didn’t foresee was that we would be delivering this commitment during a pandemic!
“Young people have had to experience social isolation and virtual learning in the last 18 months and we have an opportunity to use our net zero future to help them thrive during the pandemic recovery and beyond.
“We have taken our commitment to local areas seriously – we have listened to education and skills partners and it is their expertise and local priorities which has determined what the STEM funding focuses on from early years in East Riding of Yorkshire to school transition in South Tyneside. This approach ensures it maximises its impact for the 25,000 young people in these local areas.
“Our net zero future promises roles that will be challenging and rewarding in equal measure. From the turbine technicians who ensure the wind farms achieve optimum performance to the planning experts who will bring us even larger and more innovative wind farms in the future. The energy transition is one of society’s most pressing priorities and we have a responsibility to inspire and support the experts who will be the key to its success.
“We know from our experience engaging with local schools how keen young people are to challenge themselves to live sustainable lives. In a recent visit to Skipsea Primary School in East Riding a colleague was asked by an 8-year-old boy whether she bought her electricity from renewable energy sources. The smart boy cleverly pointed out the electric vehicle she arrived in would only help the planet if she was buying her fuel from sustainable providers. We may be the trailblazers of offshore wind but it’s the eight-year-olds of today who will shape our tomorrow.
“As we continue to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm at Dogger Bank, we have a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the lives of people living in the coastal communities where we’re installing our infrastructure. And there’s never been a more important time to get this right.”
23rd August 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
Beeford Bowling Club has become the first community group to receive a financial award from Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s new operators fund.
The £500 award will enable the group to lay a concrete base for its new equipment storage shed, as it supports members of the community to become more active following months in lockdown.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm launched its £1 million construction fund in June. The programme will enable all 124 primary schools in East Riding of Yorkshire and all 18 secondary schools in South Tyneside to increase and expand their science, technology, engineering and maths provision. Meanwhile, local community groups can apply for grants up to £500 to at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/
Work started on the onshore infrastructure for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm last year. These phases will meet landfall at Ulrome in East Riding of Yorkshire, and connect to the National Grid between Beverley and Cottingham. The third phase of the wind farm will meet landfall at Redcar on Teesside, connecting to the National Grid at Lackenby.
Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“Social isolation and lack of physical activity have both been major issues for vulnerable groups in our communities during the lockdown period. We’re delighted our first award will support a group offering a lifeline to Beeford residents, helping them to reintegrate into their community while being physically active. Despite their best efforts, the group has struggled to raise vital funds due to COVID restrictions. We couldn’t be happier to step in and support this community that has welcomed and supported us as we build the onshore infrastructure for the first two phases of the world’s largest offshore wind farm in East Riding of Yorkshire.”
Beeford Bowling Club Chairman, Cliff Hollingsworth, said:
“The past two seasons have been hard for the club as we have not been able to have fundraising events to allow us to improve our facilities. Any grants to help us do this are more than welcome and this £500 from Dogger Bank Wind Farm has come at the right time to allow us to get the base done for our new shed which means we can now follow through with this before the winter. So many thanks again from Beeford Bowling Club.”
Dogger Bank wind farm is being built in three phases, Dogger Bank A, B and C. Dogger Bank A and B are a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). Dogger Bank C is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (50%) and Equinor (50%). SSE renewables is leading on the construction of the wind farm and Equinor will operate the wind farm for its lifetime of up to 35 years.
21st July 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
History students from Outwood Academy Bydales in Marske-by-the Sea got a glimpse of their local area’s past when they visited an archaeological dig being carried out for two giant offshore wind energy projects.
Twenty year 8 students walked only 200 metres from their school to see the World War I practice trenches uncovered by Durham University’s Archaeological Services (DUAS) as part of the pre-construction survey being carried out for Dogger Bank C and Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.
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.
Despite different ownership – Sofia is owned by RWE Renewables while Dogger Bank C is the third phase in the wider Dogger Bank Wind Farm project and is owned 50/50 by SSE Renewables and Equinor – the projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity and to reduce impacts on local stakeholders.
Archaeologists from Durham University talked to students about the archaeological works on the site, why they are necessary for an offshore wind farm and how the information is recorded and analysed.
History teacher Gemma Green was able to give them details about why the more than 100-year-old trenches were there and the wider historical context. During WWI, the area was an airfield, set up as a ‘finishing school’ for pilots to learn combat flying.
“What an opportunity to witness WW1 history on our doorstep” said Gemma.
“We usually associate trenches with Northern France and Belgium but this gave our students and staff the chance to uncover that soldiers practiced digging trenches here in Marske before heading to the Western Front. This really brought history to life.”
The site near the landfall is now a modern housing estate known as The Landings, with streets named after people and aircraft connected with World War II, despite the airfield not being used during that conflict.
Archaeologist Peter Carne, said:
“It is great these offshore wind projects provided the opportunity to uncover the remains of WWI in the area, and we are really pleased that local children have been able to visit and see for themselves.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Community Engagement Manager, Rachel Lawrence, said:
“It’s exciting to be able to unearth fragments of history as we build the future energy infrastructure for UK homes and businesses. We were delighted to be able to share this experience with pupils from Outwood Academy Bydales and bring their history textbooks to life right on their doorstep.”
1st July 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- The scholarship fund will support students undertaking courses focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), to help young people prepare for working life in a net zero world.
- The programme will be open to students in South Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland and East Riding of Yorkshire.
- 50 scholarships will be 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 can apply for a new scholarship fund to prepare them for working life in a net zero world.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm recognises the education of young people has been impacted by the pandemic and is committed to supporting the green recovery by helping the next generation to gain the jobs of the future.
The scholarship fund will focus 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 scholarship fund will provide grants of £5,000 to 50 local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education. The scholarship is to be used towards tuition fees.
The first round of the scholarship fund is open for applications until 30 September 2021 and further details can be found at www.doggerbank.com.
Steve Wilson, Project Director from Dogger Bank Wind Farm said
“We recognise the difficulties young people have had during the pandemic and we want to help the recovery. Our scholarship fund will help local students to prepare for the highly-skilled jobs that will be available in a net zero world. 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, 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.
18th June 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- The money will be focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning, to help young people prepare for working life in a net zero world.
- The programme will reach out to 142 UK schools in the East Riding of Yorkshire and North East of England, and support more than 25,000 young people.
- 50 scholarships will also be 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.
- Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan hails investment as “innovative” way of supporting coastal communities.
Young people from coastal communities in the UK are set to share in a £1 million investment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm to prepare them for working life in a net zero world.
In a programme being developed in partnership with local authorities in the North and North East of England, a total of £1 million has been allocated during the construction of the wind farm, to 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. Additional community funding will be allocated throughout the operational phase of the windfarm.
This construction fund will initially focus on the areas of East Riding of Yorkshire, where the windfarm will connect to the National Grid, and South Tyneside, where the Operation and Maintenance Base will be located.
The programme has been developed with local skills and education stakeholders to ensure it meets local priorities with a focus on early years in East Riding of Yorkshire, and primary to secondary school transition in South Tyneside.
All 124 primary schools in East Riding of Yorkshire and all 18 secondary schools in South Tyneside will have the chance to increase and expand their current science, technology, engineering and maths provision.
Both areas will also look to use the support to enhance their career advice services for school leavers.
Plans are still being drawn up for how the programme will support youngsters in the Redcar and Cleveland area, where the third phase of the wind farm will connect to the National Grid at Lackenby. These will be confirmed when the third phase, Dogger Bank C, reaches its final investment decision later this year.
In addition to enhancing STEM provision in the classroom, during the construction of the wind farm 50 students from these areas will receive a scholarship to help with the cost of further education qualifications while studying STEM subjects.
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 will be able to apply at www.doggerbank.com/about/community/
The Dogger Bank Wind Farm STEM investment is one of the largest commitments to skills ever made by the offshore wind sector.
In addition to this STEM fund, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will invest £13.5 million in the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership during its lifetime, a programme set up to support the growth of the UK offshore wind supply chain. Furthermore, 50% of the wind farm’s rental payments to the Crown Estate will support the Coastal Communities Fund, a UK Government-funded initiative to support the economic growth of coastal areas. Under the current arrangement the funds received by the Coastal Communities Fund will equate to 1% of the wind farm’s gross revenue, which could amount to tens of millions of pounds being invested in coastal communities during the operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Gillian Keegan, said:
“As we recover from the pandemic, we’re investing billions of pounds to help the UK become a global leader in green technologies. This includes the creation of up to 250,000 jobs by 2030 through our Ten Point Plan, which will be critical in delivering a green industrial revolution. It’s fantastic to see the developers of Dogger Bank Wind Farm supporting this by investing in science, technology, engineering and maths skills. Not only is the world’s largest offshore wind farm pioneering new technology, it is also innovating in the way it’s supporting coastal communities to ensure young people are equipped to access the green jobs of the future.”
MP for South Shields, Emma Lewell-Buck, said:
“This is such an exciting opportunity for our young people to learn and enhance STEM skills that will equip them and put them at the forefront of skilled jobs in the green economy. I want to thank the Dogger Bank Wind Farm project’s continued investment and commitment to our community, wider region and people.”
Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, said:
“This investment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm is really welcome news, and it’s great that it will benefit children across the East Riding and in my constituency of Beverley & Holderness.
“Building up our domestic offshore wind capacity is bringing multiple benefits – from helping us meet our renewable energy commitments, to bringing skilled jobs to the area, to investing in our children’s education.
“I look forward to supporting Dogger Bank into the future as they generate tens of millions of pounds worth of investment into our area.”
Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, said:
“Over the last few years Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have developed a reputation second to none as a powerhouse for clean technology. Not only are we playing a critical role in the manufacturing of offshore windfarm turbines, Dogger Bank C will meet landfall in Redcar. As home to the UK’s biggest freeport, thousands of good-quality, well paid jobs will be created across my region in the green industries of the future. I look forward to working with the developers of Dogger Bank Wind farm so that young people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have the skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities we are creating for local people in clean green industries.”
Steve Wilson, Project Director from Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“We are proud that alongside the jobs and supply chain investments we’ve already attracted to these local economies, we can also help make a real difference to the lives of people in our local communities with this innovative package of support.
“We estimate more than 25,000 young people from 142 schools in the north and north-east of England will benefit from this funding, as we open their eyes to the green industry opportunities of our net zero future.
“Renewable energy will increasingly become a source of skilled jobs in the UK as we come through the pandemic, and rebuild our economy. This is one of the most significant investments the offshore wind industry has made in future skills, and could be the key to unlocking the future potential of many young people, as we put STEM skills at the very heart of their learning.”
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 for its lifetime, from a new base to be constructed at Port of Tyne.
Work is already underway on the first two phases of the development in East Riding to prepare the 30km cable route from Ulrome to Creyke Beck Substation, near Beverley.
Ends
For further information:
Media contact – Dogger Bank Wind Farm:
Jason Cooke, SSE Renewables
Jason.cooke@sse.com
+353 (0) 86 264 6710
Media contact – Dogger Bank Wind Farm:
Rachel Lawrence, SSE Renewables
rachel.lawrence@sse.com
+44 (0) 7385 368783
