7th February 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- Fin Needham is one of 6 higher engineering apprentices working for Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK on Dogger Bank Wind Farm sites.
- This week (7 – 13 February) marks National Apprentice Week, an annual celebration of apprenticeships in England
February 04, 2022: A teenager from Nafferton in East Riding of Yorkshire is helping to build the world’s largest offshore windfarm after securing an apprenticeship with the project’s civil engineering contractor.
Fin Needham (18), lives just a short distance from the sites in East Riding where the onshore work has been taking place, in preparation for the first two phases of the wind farm to connect to the National Grid near Beverley.
The teenager has been working on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm sites with Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK and is now studying towards his Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering at Coleg Cambria, with plans to move on to a degree-level Higher National Diploma in the future.
Fin is delighted to start his career on the world’s largest offshore wind farm and says his family are over the moon to see him on his way to a career in a growing industry.
“Both my parents were really pleased when I found out I had been successful in applying,” said the former Driffield School and Sixth Form student.
“I’d completed my A Levels in maths, physics and geography, and didn’t initially know what I wanted to do next.
“I had been looking at apprenticeships online, as had my mum, and in the end I applied to Jones Bros as we both recognised the company because we often drive past the Dogger Bank site.
“I really enjoyed being able to start close to home, getting involved with the hands-on aspects of engineering, using the GPS surveying equipment and helping out with trenches and the ducts that the high voltage cables will run through.
“Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, particularly two of the other apprentices who are a bit further along the course who I worked alongside so I could get my bearings.”
Fin says the company’s involvement in renewable energy projects was a big incentive in choosing the North Wales-headquartered firm.
He added:
“Low carbon projects like Dogger Bank Wind Farm are only going to get more important in the future, so the skills I’m learning will be relevant for a long time.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. When all three phases are complete in 2026, the wind farm will produce enough renewable energy for 6 million UK homes.
Jones Bros has six higher engineering apprentices and two trainee general construction operatives on site across the three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with four plant operatives having completed their qualification while working on the project.
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). In November 2021 SSE Renewables and Equinor, 50:50 joint venture partners in Dogger Bank C, announced Eni will take a 20% stake in the final phase, with SSE Renewables and Equinor maintaining 40% stakes each. The deal is expected to complete in Q1 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
Garmon Hafal, training manager at Jones Bros, said:
“We’re pleased to see how well Fin has started on the apprenticeship, and everyone out on site was very complimentary of his work.
“We are always keen to invest in our staff. Our higher apprenticeship offers degree-level qualifications with further opportunities to progress towards a Master’s in engineering and chartered engineer status.
“Higher apprenticeships are a fantastic way to start in the industry, and I would encourage anyone considering a career in civil engineering to give it some thought.”
Dogger Bank Wind farm Onshore Works Manager, Oliver Flattery, said:
“It’s great to see our supply chain giving opportunities to young people in the communities where we’re building our onshore infrastructure.
“We hope this is the start of a rewarding and exciting career for Fin.
“We welcome him to the Dogger Bank team and look forward to working with him as we build the vital infrastructure to support our net zero future.”
3rd February 2022 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
- 25 Scholarships awarded to students from the north-east of England and East Riding of Yorkshire to help young people prepare for working life in a Net Zero world.
- The students are undertaking courses focussed on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
- The scholarships are part of a wider £1 million investment in local communities during the construction of the wind farm.
February 2022: Twenty five students from coastal communities in the north and north-east of England are being supported to fulfil their potential thanks to a scholarship of £5,000 each from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The Scholarship Fund provides grants to local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education. The grants provided this month are the first round of the Scholarship Fund with a total of 62 scholarships being awarded during the construction of the wind farm.
The students are undertaking a wide range of STEM courses from diverse subjects such as flood management and cyber security. The role of the NHS during the pandemic has clearly inspired young people with six scholars undertaking medical related degrees. There is also clearly a focus on the climate emergency with five students undertaking degrees which can help prepare for a Net Zero future.
Ethan Young (21), is from Redcar and is studying Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University. The former Middlesbrough College Apprentice, said:
“Teesside is rich in engineering history, and it is something I have always been interested in. You can change the future by the way you design and develop new technologies. I think the financial support provided by the wind farm is really immense as it allows you to fully focus your time on your studies rather than have the burden of financial worries associated with university.”
Ruby Franklin (19), from Swanland in East Riding of Yorkshire is studying Engineering at the University of Sheffield. Ruby, a former South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College student, said:
“This scholarship has helped me with financial concerns so that I can focus fully on my studies whilst also inspiring me about renewable energy in my local area.”
Joshua Moore (19), from South Shields is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. Joshua previously studied at Harton Sixth Form College. He said:
“This scholarship has helped me with my studies as it helps give me some peace of mind when it comes to repaying my student loans, allowing me to focus wholly on my studies.”
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.
Lindsay Dougan, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“The quality of scholarship applications from students were very high and shows the excellent subjects being studied by local people. We are proud to help 25 young people take steps into further education and to support the workforce of the future as we continue our work to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
Picture caption: Redcar and Cleveland students Lucy Tunn (left), Ethan Young (centre) and Grace Robson (right) have all received scholarships from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
31st January 2022 in Construction, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
The jack-up vessel that will enter service for the first time to install the turbines on Dogger Bank Wind Farm has been officially launched.
Jan De Nul’s Voltaire will play a critical role in the installation of 277 GE Haliade-X turbines in the North Sea, more than 130km off the Yorkshire coast of England.
With a lifting capacity of more than 3,000 tonnes and a deck space equal to a football pitch, the ship is the largest of its kind in the world.
The next generation vessel was launched at the COSCO Shipping Shipyard in Nantong, China.
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Project Director, said:
“We congratulate Jan De Nul on successfully launching its unrivalled Jack up Vessel, the Voltaire. This impressive installation vessel will play a critical role in the construction of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm when it enters service, demonstrating an innovative engineering solution to the growing challenge presented by larger and more technically demanding wind farms.”
Dogger Bank wind farm agreed a contract with Jan De Nul for the transport and installation of turbines for the first two phases of the wind farm in 2019, with the Dogger Bank C contract following on last year.
The Voltaire will be able to run on second-generation biodiesel that reduces its fuel carbon footprint by up to 90%, and is also equipped with an advanced dual exhaust filter system, removing up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions.
The launch of this environmentally-innovative vessel came just 20 days after Jan De Nul launched its Les Alizés ship to serve the growing demand from current and future wind farm projects.
Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Division at Jan De Nul Group, said:
“The Voltaire will enable us to work in deeper waters and reach ever higher nacelle heights than before. Adding Voltaire and Les Alizés to the fleet gives us the perfect set of vessels to execute the growing number of large and clustered international offshore wind projects. Our forward-looking view on market trends and the quick decision making to invest in this set of Next Gen installation vessels, have done us no harm. The Voltaire and Les Alizés have all the required specifications to meet the upcoming challenges in offshore renewables. We are proud to be recognised for the choices we made back in 2019, and look forward to continuing our journey, alongside industry leaders, through our contribution to renewable energy growth in the worldwide energy transition.”
22nd December 2021 in Project news, Supply Chain
Steel manufactured in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool is set to play a role in the foundations that will support the world’s largest offshore Wind Farm.
Sif and Smulders were awarded contracts to provide the monopiles and transition pieces for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm in November 2020, with Dogger Bank C awarded a year later.
They have since awarded subcontracts to South Tyneside-based Metec and Rochdale-based Granada to work on this world-leading project, with an order now placed with Tata Steel to help shape the transition pieces.
Steel made in Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site and processed into hollow sections at the company’s Corby and Hartlepool sites, will help form the supporting components of the transition pieces to be used in the fist two phases of the wind farm.
Sandip Biswas, Chairman of the Board of Tata Steel UK, said:
“We are proud to be able to help support UK jobs and manufacturing through this project.
“Huge amounts of steel will be needed to help the UK achieve its net-zero goals – to build everything from renewable energy and low-CO2 transportation to hydrogen production and distribution.
“At the same time, we have targets for our own decarbonisation as a steelmaker. Our own transition to a decarbonised future will rely on a secure supply of competitively priced renewable energy – whether that be to create hydrogen for future steelmaking or power new low-CO2 furnaces. The more we can help in delivering these landmark projects the better.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:
“This is another great example of how we’re taking advantage of UK skills and expertise to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Our transition pieces are among the largest to be installed on an offshore wind farm, and this UK-manufactured steel will form some of the supporting components.
“Dogger Bank Wind Farm is already creating or supporting more than 3,000 jobs in the UK supply chain, and giving companies the chance to work on a pioneering project which will help them become increasingly competitive as the world adapts to produce energy that doesn’t cost the earth.”
21st December 2021 in Project news, Supply Chain
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has won another contract to work on the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The North Wales-based civil engineering company will deliver trenching, duct installation and joint bays for the 2km connection between the converter station for the third phase of the wind farm, near Redcar, and the National Grid infrastructure at Lackenby on Teesside. The initial work is expected to begin in March 2023.
Jones Bros is already installing more than 80 miles of cable for the first two phases of the wind farm in East Riding of Yorkshire.
The team was also appointed to deliver the enabling works package for the onshore convertor station platforms for the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, in a joint contract with neighbouring Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. Jones Bros has been engaged by RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, to manage the works on behalf of both Sofia and Dogger Bank C to minimise disruption to those living or working near the site.
Contracts director for Jones Bros, Eryl Roberts, said: “As this will follow on from construction of converter station infrastructure for the same project, we will benefit from a considerable body of local knowledge built up in recent years.
“As well as this, we will be able to continue to invest in the North East’s regional economy, including working with subcontractors from the area, as well as sustaining apprenticeships.
“The lengthy lead-in gives us a relatively long design period to develop and implement new and innovative solutions for the scheme in partnership with the client.
“This will include plans to minimise disruption. The route passes across a number of key roads such as the A1053, so this will mean conducting horizontal drilling in addition to the trench digging that will be used for the majority of the distance.”
Dogger Bank C Onshore Package Manager, Stephen Reynolds, said:
“Building on the work already underway on the first phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Jones Bros will now play a vital role in helping connect the windfarm to the National Grid infrastructure for the third phase.
“We look forward to extending our relationship with this UK-based firm, as we continue to build this record-breaking windfarm.”
Jones Bros is one of a number of UK-based firms to secure contracts on the world’s largest offshore wind farm, which will provide renewable energy for 6 million UK homes on completion in 2026. To date, more than 3,000 UK roles have been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Darlington-based Tekmar Energy became the latest firm to join the wind farm’s supply chain, after securing its largest-ever contract with Dogger Bank’s tier one supplier, DEME offshore. Part of the Tekmar Group, the company will design, manufacture and supply Generation 10 TekTube CPS to protect subsea inter array cables on the first two phases of the wind farm, Dogger Bank A and B, with a future option for Dogger Bank C.
