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.
17th December 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- Contract will support 170 jobs at the Darlington-based firm and more in the company’s UK supply chain.
- More than 3,000 UK jobs now created or supported by construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Tekmar Energy Limited has won its largest ever cable protection system (CPS) contract to support the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The Darlington-based provider of technology and services for the global offshore energy markets, secured a contract with Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s tier one contractor, 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.
All systems will be manufactured at Tekmar’s state-of-the-art facility in the north-east of England, supporting 170 jobs and further roles in Tekmar’s 100% UK-based supply chain.
Gary Howland, Tekmar Group Sales Director, said:
“As a company headquartered in the north-east of England, we are extremely proud to play a part in this hugely significant project for the region and look forward to working with DEME Offshore to successfully deliver the project.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director Steve Wilson, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome this leading north-east manufacturer to the supply chain for the world’s largest offshore wind farm. To secure this contract on our ground-breaking development, Tekmar has demonstrated world-class capability and expertise. With more than 3,000 UK jobs now associated with the construction and operation of the wind farm, we can say with certainty that with the right support and the right opportunities, our offshore wind supply chain here in the UK is becoming increasingly globally-competitive.”
Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.
16th December 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- 250 km of inter-array cable to be installed at third phase of world’s biggest offshore wind farm .
16 December 2021: Dogger Bank Wind Farm has signed an EPCI contract with DEME Offshore for the inter-array cables at the 1.2GW Dogger Bank C phase of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
Today’s announcement follows the earlier award of the Dogger bank A and B inter-array cable contract to DEME in early 2021.
The scope of this new EPCI agreement includes the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the subsea cables for the 1.2 GW phase of the wind farm. DEME Offshore will supply, install and protect approximately 250 km of 66 kV inter-array cables and all related accessories.
Production of the cables for Dogger Bank C is set to start in 2023. The cables will be installed in 2025 and DEME will once again be deploying its DP3 cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’. Living Stone boasts an inhouse designed dual-lane system, consisting of two cable highways – this allows cable laying using one lane whilst the next cable can be simultaneously prepared and have the cable protection system (CPS) installed on the other lane. As previously demonstrated, this significantly reduces the time needed for preparing the cables, minimises manual handling, increases the vessel’s workability and ultimately, improves production rates.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130km off the north-east coast of England and is currently being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni. The wind farm is being developed in three 1.2 GW phases, A, B and C. Upon completion, Dogger Bank will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm and will generate energy to power 6 million homes every year.
Bart De Poorter, General Manager of DEME Offshore commented: “
After securing the Dogger Bank A and B inter-array cable contract earlier this year, we are proud to now also confirm the inter-array cable contract for Dogger Bank C. This contract not only demonstrates the unrivalled cable-laying capabilities by our DEME Offshore team, it is also further testament to the stellar reputation of our DP3 cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’.”
Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm said:
“We are delighted to award the contract for the supply, installation and protection of the inter-array cables at Dogger Bank C to DEME Offshore, extending our existing relationship with DEME on phases A and B to the third phase of this project. This will ensure continued synergies across the construction activities of the offshore wind farm, including the deployment of DEME’s state-of-the-art cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’ which will install the almost 250 km of 66 kV inter-array cables required to connect Dogger Bank C’s offshore turbines.”
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). On 2 November 2021 SSE and Equinor announced the sell down of a combined 20% share in Dogger Bank C to Eni (10% each). The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2022, subject to regulatory and lenders approvals and customary purchase price adjustments. Eni will enter the asset effective from completion of the sell down transaction. Once the transaction is complete, the new overall shareholding in Dogger Bank C will be SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%).
Ends
9th December 2021 in Operations, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
North Star Group has been awarded a service operations vessel (SOV) contract to support the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with the creation of 40 more UK-based jobs.
The UK firm will deliver an additional ship boasting its new hybrid-powered renewables fleet design to support offshore wind technicians working in the field.
This will be the fourth SOV and associated daughter craft the business has been contracted to build and operate by the project, making North Star the exclusive service vessel operator for the world’s largest wind farm for at least the next decade.
In March, the firm won the initial contract for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B following a competitive tender for the design and delivery of three SOVs.
Each of the four Dogger Bank SOVs have been contracted on a 10-year agreement, with three additional one-year options.
Around 40 new full-time positions in crewing and onshore-based job will be created locally, in addition to the 130 announced previously to support the first three SOVs. Recruitment is already underway, underpinning the company’s commitment to supporting communities in the UK.
The company, which employs around 1,400 personnel out of its facilities in Aberdeen, Newcastle and its Boston Putford division in Lowestoft, has unrivalled marine expertise in the North Sea. The business, which has been operating for 135 years, has the largest wholly owned UK fleet and currently supports more than 50 installations with its existing purpose-built tonnage.
North Star’s new SOVs are high performance, sustainable vessels capable of supporting net-zero goals and utilising fuels of the future. They provide comfortable, floating-hotel style accommodation to offshore wind turbine technicians and a centralised logistics hub to travel to and from work each day across a “walk-to-work” gangway, or transfer via a smaller daughter craft vessel. The SOVs are also configured to handle cargo and act as a warehouse.
North Star CEO, Matthew Gordon said:
“Securing the final SOV contract required for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm development for the next decade is an honour, and testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at North Star and our talented technology partners. We are fully committed to supporting the local supply chain and communities in the UK where possible and are actively recruiting around 170 personnel from across the country to support this complete vessel package.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Equinor, SSE Renewables and Eni for their enthusiasm and confidence in our SOV service, which significantly shifts the dial on sustainability, comfort, safety and workability These hybrid-powered vessels are futureproofed for tomorrow’s zero-carbon emission marine fuels and the superior home-from-home living space will provide the offshore wind technicians exceptional respite from the often-harsh North Sea environment.
“The Dogger Bank C award has put us in an even stronger market position to deliver further value to our shareholders as we continue with our strategic ambitions to secure additional projects in the UK offshore renewables market and beyond.”
Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.
Rune Rønvik, Project Manager for Dogger Bank, said:
“With the final SOV also being delivered by North Star we will have the same ship owner across all three phases which means we will continue the constructive cooperation we have started and develop the operational synergies further.
“As we have seen from North Star’s initial contract award, securing big orders can really help UK businesses enter the offshore wind market, secure investment and create jobs, and we at Dogger Bank are proud to have played a role in enabling this UK company take advantage of the global opportunity presented by offshore wind.”
ENDS
8th December 2021 in Community News, Press releases, Project news
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has demonstrated its commitment to the north and north-east of England with further awards from its operator fund. In the latest round of awards 15 local community groups have been supported to help local people recover and rebuild from the pandemic and to enhance local community assets.
The Dogger Bank Operator Fund provides small grants to grass roots community projects to help enhance quality of life for local residents, contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities, and/or promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
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 Caroline Lofthouse from NOF. NOF is a not-for-profit business development organisation helping to make connections between national businesses and the energy sector.
Caroline Lofthouse, Head of Commercials & Partnerships at NOF and Cluster Manager for Energi Coast, north-east England’s offshore wind cluster, said:
“The benefits of a vibrant offshore wind industry are far reaching and the Dogger Bank Constructor Fund demonstrates how the sector makes a significant contribution to the local community as well as the economy and our renewable energy requirements. I am very proud to be part of this initiative, which is helping some important causes and organisations in the north of England.”
In East Riding of Yorkshire, Cherry Tree Community Centre has been supported to create new recipe bags for local residents. The bags provide healthy and nutritious meal ideas which can feed the whole family. Also in the region Men in Sheds Beverley has been provided support to enhance their facilities. This will enable more local older people to meet up, learn new skills and complete craftwork for the community. The Men in Sheds initiative is used by lots of local people, especially those who experience isolation or who are recovering from health complications including cancer and strokes.
Jo Ramsay, Manager at Cherry Tree Community Centre, said:
“We are extremely grateful for the support from Dogger Wind Farm. The community pantry was set up in Covid as lots of people lost an income, jobs and family members. We currently help support 800 adults and 500 children with food and emergency supplies from gas, electric and hygiene products. The recipe bags are a big success. Feedback from families and individuals is that it’s nice to follow a recipe and cook a healthy meal instead of convenience foods”
In South Tyneside, Wilby Roc has been funded to deliver a community well-being day. The charity recognises that many local people have had a challenging year and will deliver a well-being day which will allow community members to try new activities and crafts and learn well-being techniques. Also in the region, Bede’s Helping Hands has been supported to set up a job search club in their premises. The facility will enable local people to develop CVs, search for jobs and complete on-line training.
Danielle Pollard, Education Director at Wilby Rocs, said:
‘”The grant from the Dogger Bank Wind Farm will go towards essential well-being services. The people of South Tyneside have been through so much and we want to create a day where we can get people together and find out how to improve well-being, physical and mental health. I give a huge thanks to Dogger Bank Wind Farm from Wilby Roc’s and the people of South Tyneside.”
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 provision, university scholarships as well as an operators fund to support local causes. Further information is available at www.doggerbank.com/about/community/
The groups to receive awards in the latest round and how they used their grants:
East Riding:
- Cherry Trees Community Centre – to provide recipe bags for local families
- Long Riston Playing Fields – to re-develop a children’s play park
- Rickaby Village Hall Committee – new kitchen equipment
- Men in Sheds Beverley – safety enhancements
- Beverley FM – community work experience placements
- Kilham School PTA – outside STEM learning area
- Nature Tots – equipment to support outdoor play group
- Wombles Beverley – litter picking equipment
- Woodmansey School PTA – sports equipment
South Tyneside:
- Bede’s Helping Hands Food Bank – setting up job search club
- Bliss Ability – running community support group for people with depression
- Hedworthfield Community Association – outdoor seating
- Williby Rocs CIC – community wellbeing day
- Action Station – volunteer expenses
- Kayaks – support for a club for children with specialist needs
