16th April 2025 in Community News
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has won another award for its work building a sustainable legacy in its key communities.
The project scooped the Community Impact Award in this year’s Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ awards.
Community investment manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Kay Doragh, said:
“The level of excellence we are supporting around reaching primary schools, making STEM careers accessible, CPD for teachers and using creativity to inspire children is fantastic. The most important thing about social investment is that it has real impact – so I’m delighted to see this award recognise what our delivery partners are achieving in their local communities.”
In June 2024, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced the next phase of its community fund, committing £25 million to be used in the North and North East of England throughout the operational phase of the wind farm.
The community fund will continue to be used to enhance science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education for young people, equipping them with the skills to succeed in a net zero world.
The new community fund builds on the £1 million community fund set up during the construction phase of Dogger Bank, which has already supported more than 36,000 young people across 204 schools, provided 62 university scholarships, and provided 87 grants to local community groups.
In Redcar and Cleveland, the wind farm is investing in a primary school STEM careers programme that has helped more than 4,000 young people to learn about the opportunities available to them in a net zero world.
The programme is delivered by the Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA), with strategic support from Redcar and Cleveland Council.
Programme co-ordinator for RCVDA Jacqui Hutchinson, said:
“This Community Impact Award couldn’t be more deserved and acknowledges the difference that Dogger Bank Wind Farm has affected in the lives of primary aged children in Redcar and Cleveland, by their embrace of an innovative partnership between the local authority, the voluntary sector, schools and the businesses in their supply chain, which has created a programme that has received national recognition.
None of this would have been possible without the tireless support of Kay, the wider Dogger Bank family, the businesses they work with, and last, but not least, the warm and open embrace we have received in the schools across the Borough, as we work together to overcome the disadvantage may young students face and build their confidence towards a brighter future.”
Further information about the Dogger Bank community fund and information on how to apply for grants and scholarships can be found here: www.doggerbank.com/about/community/
A full list of Dogger Bank’s accolades is available here https://doggerbank.com/about/our-awards/
12th March 2025 in Community News
The co-ordinator of our Dogger Bank Wind Farm-funded ‘Building Our Futures’ programme has been recognised at the Redcar and Cleveland Inspiring Women Awards.
Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency’s Jacqui Hutchinson, was a finalist in the Inspiring Others Category at the recent event, held to coincide with International Women’s Day 2025.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm started funding the primary STEM careers programme in Redcar and Cleveland in 2022, and Jacqui has been fundamental to the successful rollout of the programme to more than 4,000 schoolchildren from 36 schools.
Commenting on becoming a runner-up in the awards, Jacqui said:
“I was absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award by Rachel, on behalf of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
“It’s been the honour of my career to deliver the Building our Futures programme and to be shortlisted in such esteemed company as Katie Coates and Helen Bartram. My congratulation go to Katie Coates for her deserving win.”
Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm and award nominator, said:
“Jacqui is a thoroughly deserving finalist in this award category. She has been a superb ambassador for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers in Redcar and Cleveland, and the driving force behind this pioneering education programme.
“We know many young people in Redcar and Cleveland will have a brighter future because of the work Jacqui has done to unlock their future potential in the world of work.”
In June 2024, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced additional funding of £25 million to support coastal communities across the North and North East of England, over its planned 35-year operational lifespan.
Dogger Bank will use this funding to support local communities through three key programmes: STEM education and careers programmes, the Dogger Bank scholarship programme, and community grants via the operators fund.
The new community fund builds on the £1 million community fund set up during the construction phase of Dogger Bank, which has already supported more than 36,000 young people across 204 schools, provided 62 university scholarships, and provided 87 grants to local community groups.
Find out more about this £25 million commitment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm here.
7th March 2025 in Community News
Representatives from Dogger Bank Wind Farm shared their career stories with more than 700 young people to mark National Careers Week 2025.
In a series of events across our key communities, representatives from the project talked to schoolchildren about the breadth of opportunities in net zero industries, and shared their personal experiences on the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
From careers fairs in Redcar and Cleveland to sustainability discussions in East Riding of Yorkshire, the team has helped young people to explore, discover and get excited about matching their skills and abilities with future career options.
A highlight of the week was a live Q&A with a wind turbine commissioning team on board a Dogger Bank Wind Farm vessel, currently deployed in the North Sea. More than 300 pupils from 6 Teesside schools took the opportunity to quiz the team about their work building the world’s largest offshore wind farm, and were surprised to learn about the variety of roles on a turbine commissioning vessel.
Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“We’ve had an incredible week answering probing questions about our work on this world-leading renewable energy project, and we’ve met some very promising future pioneers for our sector.
“It’s hugely important for young people to meet real life role models who work in offshore wind, to help shape their dreams and ambitions, as well as learn about the world around them.
“Connecting 12 Teesside schools with our offshore commissioning team through an interactive Q&A was a real highlight, and gave the children an ability to imagine what their working life could be like if they choose to pursue a career in offshore wind.
“Huge thanks to all the schools and organisations that invited us to share our stories, and to all the young people for their brilliant and thought-provoking questions.”
12th February 2025 in Community News
THE sea life-saving brainchild of a budding South Shields ecologist has been professionally designed and modelled, thanks to support from a business blown away by his idea.
Harris, 10, a student at Sea View Primary School, created the concept for “Hi Fish” – a solar-powered floating camera that roams the reefs of the world observing fish numbers and monitoring issues such as coral bleaching – for his entry to South Tyneside Council’s and Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s “Little Inventors” competition.
The youngster was thrilled to win the competition and this week visited Dogger Bank Wind Farm operations base, in Port of Tyne, to see his invention in all its glory, having been developed by contest supporter North Star, operator of the largest fleet of infrastructure support vessels in the North Sea.
Harris was not only presented with the newly created “Hi Fish” marine architect designs and 3D printed model, he and his father were treated to tour the Dogger Bank base and Grampian Derwent, one of the Dogger Bank service vessels.
South Tyneside Council and Dogger Bank Wind Farm have organised Little Inventors for three years, with Harris’ invention one of six potentially planet-saving inventions brought to life in various forms by businesses and creative experts in the coming months.
Working with borough schools, Little Inventors challenges Year 4 and 5 students to devise incredible, eco-friendly concepts powered by renewable energy to address the climate crisis.
The Council works closely with Dogger Bank to deliver bespoke STEM education and careers programmes, like Little Inventors, to raise awareness and aspirations of borough youngsters, particularly around opportunities within green energy and sustainability.
Harris’ “Hi Fish” invention, harnesses solar and wind energy to power a propeller on a small camera rig, allowing the equipment to travel the tidal flows of the reefs, logging fish species, any decline or rise in numbers, monitor ecological changes, take temperature checks and help address major environmental issues, such as coral bleaching, which can seriously impact on fragile marine eco-systems.
Describing Hi Fish, Harris said:
“It was interesting to learn about the things being done in our seas and oceans. Hi Fish is an environmentally friendly invention to help monitor coral reefs without needing batteries or diesel to power a lot of machinery.
“It’s important that when we sort out problems in the environment, we don’t make them worse or create other problems. New inventions made to help solve issues must be carbon-neutral and use renewable energy whenever possible.”
North Star was one of many local firms backing the Little Inventors Programme. Operations Director, Steve Myers, said:
“We were so impressed with Harris’ invention that we had to select it. It’s fantastic to see this competition inspire such innovative and exciting ideas, while supercharging the interest of youngsters in the offshore renewables sector.
“With so many career opportunities on our doorstep, getting youngsters excited about marine engineering is vital to help keep the positive momentum going in our industry.”
Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport for South Tyneside Council, said:
“Harris’ invention shows touches of genius and it’s great to see these bright young minds engaged to combat the climate crisis.
“Little Inventors inspires children and is a way to build interest in the STEM subjects that are the foundation stones for careers in engineering.
“Congratulations must go to Harris, for a fantastic innovation. I hope he enjoyed his visit to the Dogger Bank base and his spell in the captain’s chair of the Grampian Derwent.”
The Dogger Bank Community Fund and South Tyneside Council launched Little Inventors to increase understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths among young people and their parents, raising awareness of the opportunities presented by renewable energy.
Winning inventions can be viewed online: Powering the Future: South Tyneside and Beyond! : Little Inventors where people can also submit ideas for the latest Making Waves: Inventing for a Better Ocean challenge.
Kay Doragh, Dogger Bank Community Investment Manager, said:
“Little Inventors inspires bright young minds and helps the pupils taking part understand environmental issues and get excited about the potential careers on their doorstep.
“New ways of thinking and inventions like Harris’ will show how we tackle climate change. It’s great to welcome him and his dad to Dogger Bank Wind Farm, as we continue the green revolution from South Tyneside.”
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.
In June 2024, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced additional funding of £25 million to support coastal communities across the North and North East of England, over its planned 35-year operational lifespan.
For more information, visit: https://southtyneside.littleinventors.org/
9th January 2025 in Community News
- The operator fund community grants are available to community projects in South Tyneside, East Riding of Yorkshire, and Redcar and Cleveland.
- Dogger Bank Wind Farm provides £75,000 of funding to the operator fund each year.
- Each community grant will provide up to £1,000 of funding.
Community projects near our construction and operation bases can now apply for the latest round of funding from the Dogger Bank operator fund to support their activities.
The operator fund supports local community projects in East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland, and South Tyneside – the locations of the wind farm’s grid connection points and the operations and maintenance base.
The operator fund provides a total of £75,000 of funding in grants of up to £1,000 for local community projects who have a constitution and deliver activities in Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside or East Riding of Yorkshire.
Community grants can be used to enhance quality of life for local residents; contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; and/or promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Eligible community projects and local organisations can apply for grants up to the new amount of up to £1000, at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/.
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 Hannah Smiles from NOF. NOF is a not-for-profit business development organisation helping to make connections between national businesses in the energy sector. owns and operates Energi Coast, North East England’s Offshore Wind Cluster.
Kay Doragh, Dogger Bank Wind Farm Community Investment manager said:
“At Dogger Bank Wind Farm, we’re committed to supporting local communities and the fantastic ideas they have to improve life in their area. We’ve funded projects to help young people into employment to solar lights to make village events safer and more welcoming. I can’t wait to see the projects we’ll be supporting in 2025.”
Redcar-based Darkside Diving received a grant from Dogger Bank Wind Farm last year, to purchase a compressor.
Club member, Donna Russell, said:
“Darkside Diving @Redcar has had a very busy and successful first year, growing to 50 members and completing over 250 club dives. Welcoming new trainees to our sport and growing our instructor team. We would like to thank the Dogger Bank grant fund for helping us to achieve the goals of our first year. Without their kind donation we would not have been able to achieve so much in such a short time.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is under construction more than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes once completed. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June 2024, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced additional funding of £25 million to support coastal communities across the North and North East of England, over its planned 35-year operational lifespan.
Dogger Bank will use this funding to support local communities through three key programmes: STEM education and careers programmes, the Dogger Bank scholarship programme, and community grants via the operators fund.
The new community fund builds on the £1 million community fund set up during the construction phase of Dogger Bank, which has already supported more than 36,000 young people across 204 schools, provided 62 university scholarships, and provided 87 grants to local community groups.
Find out more about this £25 million commitment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm here.
