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
10th October 2022 in Press releases, Project news
Olly Cass has been appointed by SSE Renewables as the new Project Director of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The appointment comes following the promotion of the former Project Director, Steve Wilson, to the role of Director of Offshore Capital Projects for SSE Renewables.
Olly Cass said:
“Having been the Finance Director for the past 3 years I’m really looking forward to this new chapter on the project and to continuing to work with such a talented team.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time on the project, with manufacturing ongoing at multiple facilities around the world, the early stages of offshore installation works underway and first power on Dogger Bank A scheduled for July 2023.
“The world’s largest offshore wind farm is a standout project which gives the whole team the ability to make a real difference on some of the biggest issues of the day. Once all three phases are fully operational Dogger Bank Wind Farm will deliver clean renewable power for 6 million UK homes, or about 5% of the UK’s electricity demand.”
Steve Wilson said:
“I am delighted to have been able to appoint Olly as the new Project Director and given his extensive knowledge and experience of Dogger Bank Wind Farm I have no doubt that he has the capabilities needed to lead the construction phase of this industry-leading project.
“I can say from my experience in the role that it is an honour to be involved in both Dogger Bank and in establishing an affordable, resilient and secure source of electricity for UK homes and businesses.”
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%).
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26th September 2022 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- Convertor station works begin for third phase of world’s largest offshore wind farm
- Work carried out by Hitachi Energy and supported by sub-contractor Keltbray
- Keltbray awarded civil engineering contracts for all 3 phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm
- Official ground-breaking event held at Hitachi site in Redcar
- Up to 170 UK-based roles supporting construction of the wind farm’s three convertor stations at peak of work
Work has started on the convertor station for the third phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm
Tier one contractor Hitachi Energy and civil engineering sub-contractor Keltbray will construct the convertor station on the Sembcorp complex near Lazenby in Teesside.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Senior Project Manager Alan Borland, said:
“Starting work on the third convertor station for the world’s largest offshore wind farm is another exciting milestone for the whole team.
“It’s great to see our tier one supplier awarding another civil contract to Keltbray, a company which has played a key role in the development of the first two phases of the project.
“Dogger Bank Wind Farm will provide an affordable and secure source of renewable energy for 6 million UK homes from 2026.
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%).
It will be the first HVDC connected wind farm in the UK, paving the way for other UK wind farms and suppliers to build on our experience transmitting renewable energy safely and efficiently across long distances while minimising potential losses.
Hitachi Energy is supplying the HVDC systems to connect the wind farm to the national grid at Creyke Beck in East Riding and Lackenby near Redcar. Each phase of the project will have both an offshore and onshore convertor station to facilitate efficient transmission of renewable energy via HVDC subsea and onshore underground HVDC and HVAC cables. The two convertor stations in East Riding of Yorkshire are currently under construction at the A1079 site between Beverley and Cottingham.
In Summer 2021 Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Redcar MP Jacob Young signalled the start of site preparation work for the Dogger Bank C convertor station by specialists Jones Bros Civil –Engineering UK. Last week representatives from Dogger Bank, Hitachi Energy and Keltbray Group gathered to mark the start of work on the third onshore convertor station on the pre-prepared site, which is due to be completed by Q1 2025.
Keltbray is one of several UK-based firms to secure contracts on the world’s largest offshore wind farm, with more than 1,500 UK roles already created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Durham-based and family-owned steel construction firm Finleys is one of the businesses that has helped with the construction of the first two convertor stations near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire. Up to 170 UK based roles will be supported on the two convertor station construction sites during peak times for the project.
Goran Isacsson, Project Director for Hitachi Energy, said:
“The start of construction work at the Dogger Bank C converter station here in Redcar is a great moment for the Hitachi Energy team. We are proud to be delivering three HVDC® Light converter stations for the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Banker Wind Farm. HVDC technology significantly contributes towards a carbon-neutral energy future by enabling the integration of large-scale and remote renewable energy generation.”
Keltbray Highways Managing Director, Vip Gandhi said:
“The ground-breaking ceremony marks an exciting milestone in continuing our involvement with the prestigious Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Phase C gives us the opportunity to continue providing opportunities to local people and supply chain, collectively working towards a renewable future.”
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Picture caption: Keltbray Highways Managing Director – Vip Gandhi, Dogger Bank C Project Manager – James O’Hara, Dogger Bank Wind Farm Commercial Director – Simon Bailey, Dogger Bank Wind Farm Senior Project Manager – Alan Borland and Hitachi Project Director – Goran Isacsson.
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 September 2022 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
NKT is set to produce low-carbon copper cables for the third phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, significantly reducing the project’s carbon footprint during construction.
NKT, its supplier and customers have entered into an agreement to use low-carbon copper for the 320 kV HVDC cables the company is delivering to the third phase of the wind farm, known as Dogger Bank C.
The use of low-carbon copper will reduce the carbon footprint of the HV cable systems by more than 23 000 metric tons of CO2 (1), which is equivalent to 7,700 average family cars driven for one year (2).
Following a preferred supplier agreement announced in 2020, Dogger Bank Wind confirmed NKT as the main contractor for delivery and installation of high-voltage DC (HVDC) onshore and offshore export cable systems for Dogger Bank C in June 2021.
Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm at SSE Renewables said:
“Along with our partners Equinor and Eni Plenitude, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible throughout the construction process. It is fantastic that our HVDC export cable supplier, NKT, will use a low-carbon copper, which will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction works on Dogger Bank. The HVDC cable is a crucial component, as it will connect power generated from the windfarm to the national grid.”
Alexander Kara, President & CEO of NKT said:
“This pioneering cooperation with our customers and suppliers enables us to produce even more sustainable cables using low-carbon copper. I am pleased that we have set up this game changing collaboration, so we can continue contributing to connecting a greener world. This will ultimately help us meet our sustainability commitments, including becoming a net-zero emission company.”
The low-carbon copper cathodes come from the Boliden Aitik mine in Northern Sweden. Vehicles in the mine and the smelters are powered by fossil free electricity and the delivery of copper cathodes is done domestically by electric train from the mine to Elcowire in Helsingborg that in efficient processes then produces the low-carbon copper wires.
The use of low-carbon copper will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of NKT’s cables as it comes with less than half the carbon footprint of standard copper, which has been third-party validated The manufacturing of the high voltage cables takes place in NKTs factory in Karlskrona in Sweden, which is running on 100 % renewable electricity.
Installation of the cable system at Dogger Bank C in the North Sea will be done by NKT Victoria, one of the world’s most advanced and fuel-efficient cable laying vessels.
(1) Low-carbon copper from Boliden has a carbon footprint of less than 1,5 kg CO2eq/kg of copper, which is significantly lower than the European average of 4,1 kg CO2eq/kg of copper.
(2) Gasoline-powered family cars. Source: EPA-United States Environmental Protection Agency.
