23rd July 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain, Uncategorised
South Tyneside manufacturer Metec UK has won two multi-million pound contracts on Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Metec UK manufactures sacrificial anodes for the long-term protection of steel jackets and foundations against corrosion, and is used in the offshore renewable energy industry.
The fast-growing company, established only four years ago, will supply cathodic protection sacrificial anodes for transition pieces and monopiles, for the first two phases of the record-breaking wind farm.
Built by SSE Renewables and operated by Equinor, the wind farm has already created or supported thousands of new jobs and will be built in three phases, Dogger Bank A, B and C.
Alberto Via, UK Managing Director of METEC UK, said:
“Over the last six months we’ve been absolutely delighted to win a number of domestic and international contracts, including in Scotland, France and Holland. These latest successes – and in particular the flagship Dogger Bank Wind Farm contract – justifies our commitment to South Tyneside, the north-east and the UK. Our success demonstrates our ability to support large, important and prestigious renewable energy projects of this nature throughout the UK and Europe.
“We have the capacity, capability and expertise at Metec that places us right at the heart of where we need to be in an industry which is set to see significant growth and investment over the next 10 years.
“As a young, ambitious and expanding company, which has invested over £4 million in premises and furnaces since 2017, we expect to see further growth throughout 2021. We are in this for the long term and we’re very excited for the future of Metec and the industry as a whole.”
Metec UK, which has manufacturing facilities in South Shields and Tunisia with representation around the globe, is a leading manufacturer of corrosion protection for high value subsea assets. Initially employing just six people, the company now has 45 people within its business.
Halfdan Brustad, Vice President for Dogger Bank at Equinor, said:
“As we build up our operations in South Tyneside it’s great to see a local company not only win this flagship contract with the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, but also exporting to other countries.
“With ambitious targets to quadruple UK capacity in the next decade, the offshore wind industry provides billions of pounds of supply chain opportunities, and in supporting UK companies we will also build up a competitive supply chain that can win international contracts.
“We look forward to continuing to work with UK companies, particularly in northern England where we will operate the wind farm for decades to come.”
Metec UK is a sub-contractor with Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s tier one contractor, Smulders. Smulders was selected for the supply, fabrication and fit-out of the secondary steel for the transition pieces in late 2020. Smulders will work alongside Sif, the company selected to provide fabrication and supply of 190 monopiles and primary steel for the transition pieces.
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.”
12th July 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has signed a contract with Jan De Nul Group for the transport and installation of 87 GE Haliade-X 14 MW offshore wind turbines at the final Dogger Bank C phase of the project, located up to 200 km off the UK’s Yorkshire coast. This third contract award follows the signature in 2020 of packages A and B, each featuring 95 units of 13 MW turbines. The contract is subject to Dogger Bank C reaching Financial Close in late 2021.
The 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is being delivered in the North Sea in three 1.2GW phases, is set to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when complete. The third phase Dogger Bank C is owned by SSE Renewables (50%) and Equinor (50%) and is being developed on a different timescale to Dogger Bank A and B, which are joint venture phases between Equinor (40%), SSE Renewables (40%) and Eni (20%). Once operational, the overall Dogger Bank Wind Farm will generate enough energy to power over 6 million UK homes every year.
Under this latest contract Jan De Nul Group will mobilise its newest Next Gen Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel ‘Voltaire’ for the delivery and installation of the 14 MW turbines at Dogger Bank C. The vessel, which will have a lifting capacity of over 3,000 tonnes, is currently under construction and will enter into service in 2022. With the ‘Voltaire’ now committed to turbine transportation and installation at all three phases of the project, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the vessel’s first assignment.
The ‘Voltaire’ is named after the pioneering European Enlightenment philosopher and is fitted with a highly advanced exhaust filtering system by means of a Selective Catalytic Reduction system and a Diesel Particulate Filter, making it the very first seagoing installation vessel of its kind to be a Stage V-certified Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv).
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Project Director at SSE Renewables, said: “Jan De Nul Group has a great track record for the transportation and installation of turbines on scale, and offshore wind farms don’t come any bigger than ours. With a lifting capacity of more than 3,000 tonnes, the ultra-clean Voltaire vessel is set to become the world’s largest jack-up vessel when it enters service in 2022. Securing this state-of-the-art vessel for all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is another reminder of how we’re working with our suppliers to drive innovation in offshore wind.”
Halfdan Brustad, Vice President for Dogger Bank at Equinor, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured the Voltaire for the third phase of Dogger Bank, as it will follow the turbine installations for phases A and B. By the time Dogger Bank Wind Farm is complete, this low emissions vessel will have installed 277 of the world’s most powerful turbines at the world’s biggest offshore wind farm; quite a feat for the Voltaire’s first assignment! This continued contract with Jan de Nul demonstrates world class innovation delivering at scale, both important factors in ensuring we build Dogger Bank as efficiently and sustainably as possible.”
Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Division at Jan De Nul Group, said: “Dogger Bank Wind Farm is exactly the type of project we had in mind when we took the decision to build our Voltaire. The scale and characteristics of the offshore Dogger Bank and turbines offer the perfect challenge for this Next Gen Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel. We are proud to be recognised in our choices and look forward to working together with industry leaders SSE Renewables and Equinor on the Dogger Bank C phase of this world-leading project. We are excited to take part in the worldwide transition to renewable energies by installing the offshore wind turbines at Dogger Bank A, B and C in the most efficient and clean manner possible.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm secured 3.6 GW of offshore wind contracts in the UK Government’s 2019 contracts for difference auctions. Record low prices were awarded for the three projects making up Dogger Bank Wind Farm: Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. Dogger Bank C is planned to reach financial close by the end of 2021.
SSE Renewables is leading the development and construction phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Equinor will lead on operations for its lifetime of up to 35 years.
9th July 2021 in Construction, Press releases, Project news
Work has begun in East of Riding of Yorkshire to install 80 miles of cables for the first two phases of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank A and B.
This major onshore milestone will involve the installation of 3,362 tonnes of cables from the landfall site at Ulrome to the onshore convertor station site near Beverley. The cables, which have a combined weight heavier than Wimbledon’s iconic Centre Court roof, will be installed by North Wales-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering.
Bristol-based high voltage engineering specialists Power Systems will support the Jones Bros team during the installation of the cables.
Jones Bros project manager James Lockwood said:
“The arrival of the cable drums marks a significant point in our works on the grid connection and land-based infrastructure.
“The site team have done a fantastic job over the past four months to allow for deliveries of the cables to start on time and on programme.
“The 80 miles of cabling will be used along a 20 mile route to help connect the offshore wind farm to the National Grid, and we remain committed to minimising disruption in the local area as we carry out this work.”
Onshore project manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Oliver Flattery, said:
“The Jones Bros team has worked hard since the start of 2020 to safely and efficiently prepare the ground in East Riding, in readiness for more than 3,000 tonnes of cables to be installed from July onwards.
“We thank local residents and businesses for their patience over the last 18 months, and continue to focus on operating safely and with minimal disruption as we progress our work with the installation of the cables that will transmit renewable energy to millions of UK homes.”
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), while Dogger Bank C is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and Equinor.
8th July 2021 in Construction, Press releases, Project news
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Redcar MP Jacob Young signalled the start of site preparation work for the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm this week.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been appointed to deliver the enabling works package for the onshore convertor station platforms for both Dogger Bank C and RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, near Redcar, Teesside
The two neighbouring wind farm projects are working together in an innovative way to ensure minimal disruption to businesses and communities on Teesside.
The Mayor and MP joined management representatives from both projects plus from landowner Sembcorp Energy UK at the site of the onshore converter stations, adjacent to Wilton International, to officially kick-off the work and have an early tour of the site.
The Jones Bros works will include providing a level load-bearing stone platform for the converter stations; two new accesses to the site with associated bellmouths; welfare and laydown areas; drainage system, and associated utilities.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm 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), while Dogger Bank C is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and Equinor.
Dogger Bank A and B will connect to the National Grid near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, while Dogger Bank C will connect to the National Grid at Lackenby, on Teesside.
North Wales-based Jones Bros started work on the land-based infrastructure for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm last year, and has recently increased its team to 90 as work starts on the installation of 80 miles of underground cables from Ulrome to the onshore convertor station near Beverley.
On Teesside, between 25 and 30 Jones Bros workers will be on the site at any one time on behalf of Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and Dogger Bank C.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said:
“For generations Teesside has been known the world over for our steel, engineering, and processing skills, now we are leading the way in offshore wind and developing the next generation of fuels, such as hydrogen. Projects like the Sofia and Dogger Bank offshore wind farms are critical if the government is to hit its ambitious target for the UK to be net zero by 2050, and Teesside is playing a key role.
“Today’s ground-breaking is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and commitment by so many people and symbolises a significant step forward on our path to net zero and the thousands of good-quality, well paid jobs the clean energy revolution will create right here in Teesside.”
“As responsible developers working in the same area, we’re committed to ensuring the impact on local businesses and communities is minimal. We were delighted that Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Andy Koss of Sembcorp Energy UK joined us on-site today to mark the start of this work by UK-based Jones Bros. The event marks an important milestone for both developments and demonstrates great progress for the future of green energy in the UK.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:
“As responsible developers working in the same area, we’re committed to ensuring the impact on local businesses and communities is minimal. We were delighted that Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Andy Koss of Sembcorp Energy UK joined us on-site today to mark the start of this work by UK-based Jones Bros. The event marks an important milestone for both developments and demonstrates great progress for the future of green energy in the UK.”
Sembcorp Industries CEO UK & Middle East, Andy Koss, said:
“Following the groundworks undertaken by Sembcorp Energy UK, it’s fantastic to see this next stage of the project now underway. Teesside is becoming an important hub for the offshore wind sector, due to its industrial and manufacturing heritage, experienced workforce, and location. We are well equipped and ready to deal with major infrastructure projects such as this, and proud to facilitate sustainable solutions that will help the UK reach its Net Zero target.”
Sofia Project Director Matthew Swanwick said:
“The official start of onshore construction is a culmination of many years of planning and development and testament to a huge effort, so it was a pleasure to be able to welcome Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to site today. But it is also the start of an intense period of activity and we look forward to our continued positive working relationship with Dogger Bank C, Sembcorp Energy UK and all our contractors and stakeholders over the coming years.”
The work to construct both the converter stations will take around four years and is due to be completed in 2025.
