14th July 2021 in Project news, Supply Chain
UK industrial lifting specialist Granada Material Handling has secured four contracts to provide bespoke cranes for the installation of foundations and offshore convertor platforms on the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
A sub-contractor with Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s tier one contractors, Smulders and Aibel, Granada will provide more than 200 specialist cranes to support the offshore construction work on Dogger Bank A and B.
Granada previously secured a contract with Aibel to support the installation of the offshore platform for Dogger Bank A. These latest contracts with Aibel and Smulders confirm Granada’s involvement in the installation of foundations on Dogger Bank A, as well as supporting foundation and offshore platform installation on Dogger Bank B.
With a lifting capacity of 1.2te and a radius of up to 5,000mm, the cranes have been specially designed by the Rochdale-based business to meet the technical requirements of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will be the largest in the world when completed in 2026.
The contract will support a further 20 UK-based jobs. The number of UK jobs that will be created to support the delivery and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm so far is approaching 3,000.
Mark Sidwell, managing director at Granada, said:
“These contracts are clearly very good news for Granada as a company and also for all our staff, as a recognition of their expertise and commitment. More broadly, it is a significant achievement for the UK wind farm sector and supply chain, generally. It allows GMH to bring more business to our own suppliers and subcontractors.
“The UK is at the cutting-edge of green technology with the know-how, the engineering capability and the capacity to make a significant contribution to this vital part of the economy. We at Granada are delighted to be playing our part in growing this sector and we look forward to working with our supply chain partners and continue to deliver on and contribute to the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:
“We’re delighted to confirm another UK-based company has been selected to support the construction of the world’s biggest offshore windfarm.
“Granada’s Python Davit crane has been specifically designed to suit the work platform layout of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will install foundations that are among the largest ever used in offshore wind.
“Its unique design will lend itself to safe and efficient maintenance and operation, as well as meeting the demanding technical requirements of a project on this scale.”
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.
Aibel has won contracts to provide offshore convertor platforms for all three phases of the wind farm with a revolutionary unmanned High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) offshore substation design. Dogger Bank will be the first HVDC-connected wind farm in the UK, paving the way for other large-scale wind projects.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will invest £13.5 million in the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership during its lifetime, a funding programme set up to support growth of the UK offshore wind supply chain.
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.
30th June 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
Following a preferred supplier agreement announced in 2020, Dogger Bank Wind Farm has now 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, the third phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The contract award is subject to Dogger Bank C reaching Financial Close in late 2021.
The order for NKT comprises the manufacture and delivery of more than 2x250km total system length of 320kV DC offshore export power cables, accessories as well as installation by the cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria. Manufacturing is expected from 2022 and with planned commissioning in 2026.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in three phases: Dogger Bank A and B are a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). Dogger Bank C is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and Equinor.
NKT has already been confirmed for delivery and installation of HVDC onshore and offshore export cable systems for Dogger Bank A and B.
Dogger Bank will be located more than 130km from the North East coast of England. Using HVDC systems helps to minimise electrical losses over long distances. Dogger Bank will be the first HVDC connected wind farm in the UK, paving the way for other UK wind farms. By introducing an innovative unmanned design, the offshore substations are forecast to be 70% lighter (per MW) in weight compared to conventional platforms and save hundreds of millions of pounds in costs.
11th June 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been 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.
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 ramps up in preparation for 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, with completion scheduled for April 2022.
The new contract win for the civil engineering firm is also expected to deliver opportunities for apprenticeships in the north-east of England as well as for suppliers such as fencing, haulage and other materials.
Eryl Roberts, contracts director at Jones Bros, said:
“We’re very pleased to be continuing our relationship with SSE and Equinor, both of whom are involved with Dogger Bank A and B, and look forward to developing our relationship with RWE.
“Both Sofia and Dogger Bank C are significant projects in their own right and will deliver 1.4GW and 1.2GW of renewable power respectively once complete.
“As with all of our projects, we will look to provide opportunities locally in the supply chain as well as for apprentices.”
Work is now underway and is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:
“This is a great opportunity for us to extend our collaboration with UK-based Jones Bros, following the start on the first two phases of the wind farm in East Riding. We’re also delighted to be working with Sofia Wind Farm in an innovative way, to ensure the impact on the local community on Teesside is minimal.”
Sofia Project Director Matthew Swanwick said:
“This is a unique and complex project given the close cooperation between two separate wind farm developers, to the point of sharing a contractor for the early onshore construction activity, and so we welcome being able to leverage the breadth of experience Jones Bros. has had on previous UK infrastructure projects.”
18th May 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- World’s largest offshore wind farm confirms GE Renewable Energy turbine supply and service contracts for Dogger Bank C, the third and final phase of 3.6GW project.
- GE expects to create up to 470 green jobs for the UK in support of the delivery and operation of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
- GE Renewable Energy now confirmed to supply 277 units of its ground-breaking Haliade-X turbine to all three phases of Dogger Bank.
- Dogger Bank C contracts mark first commercial commitment for upscaled 14MW Haliade-X turbine.
Tuesday 18 May 2021: Dogger Bank Wind Farm and GE Renewable Energy have today announced they have finalised contracts for the supply of turbines and a five-year service and warranty agreement for Dogger Bank C, confirming a total of 87 units of the 14MW Haliade-X turbine for the third and final phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
These contract awards, which are subject to Dogger Bank C reaching Financial Close in late 2021, mean GE Renewable Energy is now confirmed to supply a total of 277 units of its ground-breaking Haliade-X turbine to all three phases of this world-class renewable energy project to be constructed off the north-east coast of England.
Dogger Bank C is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (50%) and Equinor (50%) while Dogger Bank A and B are owned by SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%).
With the completion of all turbine supply and service contracts for the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm, GE Renewable Energy has increased its estimate of UK green jobs it expects to create in support of the delivery and operation of all three phases of the project to around 470 – almost twice the 240 estimate announced last September.
These new roles bring the total number of UK jobs that will be created to support the delivery and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm to almost 3,000 so far.
As previously announced, the A and B phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the first to install GE’s Haliade-X 13 MW, following a record-breaking order for 190 turbines. Today’s announcement confirms an additional order of 87 upscaled Haliade-X 14 MW turbines for Dogger Bank C. Turbine installation for Dogger Bank C is set to begin in 2025 ahead of completion of the overall project in 2026. The contracts mark the first commercial commitment for this ground-breaking turbine, as well as the first time ever a 14MW Haliade-X will be installed in the world. One spin of the Haliade-X can generate enough electricity to power a UK household for more than two days.
SSE Renewables is leading on the construction and delivery of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will operate Dogger Bank Wind Farm on completion.
Steve Wilson, SSE Renewables Project Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“This is an exciting milestone and marks our continued progress towards financial close for the third phase of the wind farm, expected later this year. We’re particularly proud that through our confirmation with GE of turbine contracts for the delivery of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the project will be responsible for the creation of hundreds more green UK jobs, both during construction and through to servicing. We now look forward to continuing our close collaboration with GE on this phase of the project and to demonstrating how the impressive Haliade-X technology can be installed safely, efficiently, and on a significant scale for the first time, during delivery of our world-class offshore wind project.”
John Lavelle, President & CEO of GE Renewable Energy’s Offshore Wind Business said:
“We are delighted to have passed yet another milestone in our collaboration with Dogger Bank with the finalization of the supply and service contracts for Dogger Bank C. Bringing the Haliade-X 14 MW to the third phase of the project proves that GE has the technology and know-how to address the fast-paced changes in the offshore industry. With all contracts signed, we are now looking forward to the next phases of our collaboration with Dogger Bank. Together, we will make a big contribution to the ever-accelerating energy transition in the UK.”
Halfdan Brustad, vice president for Dogger Bank at Equinor, said:
“This contract award represents much more than good progress on the project. It shows innovation, confirming Dogger Bank will be the first project to install the latest models of powerful turbines. It shows how Dogger Bank is creating highly skilled jobs in the North of England, across the construction and operation phases of the wind farm. It shows continuation of a strong, collaborative relationship between us and our partners, SSE Renewables, and our supplier GE Renewable Energy. Dogger Bank is truly a world-leading project and we look forward to working with our partners and suppliers to deliver this project to the UK.”
The 470 jobs being announced today by GE to support delivery of Dogger Bank A, B and C are almost twice the number of roles which the company said last September it expected to create associated with turbine installation and servicing.
The increased estimate of 470 roles is made up of around 300 skilled roles for installation and commissioning activities across all three consecutive phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm and 170 servicing roles under GE’s five-year Service and Warranty Agreements for Dogger Bank phases A, B and C.
The 300 construction roles will be based out of locations across the north-east of England to be announced by GE in due course and include the 120 construction jobs already announced at Able Seaton Port in Hartlepool.
GE’s 170 full-time turbine servicing jobs for Dogger Bank phases A, B and C will be based out of the Port of Tyne. These jobs include the 120 servicing roles previously confirmed by GE last September for phases A and B of Dogger Bank, plus an additional 50 new roles thanks to the five-year Service and Warranty Agreement for Dogger Bank C. GE’s full-service agreements will begin as each phase of the wind farm is commissioned, beginning with Dogger Bank A in late 2023.
GE Renewable Energy has already commenced recruitment for some of these roles, and is currently hiring for its early works team, with more opportunities to follow. Full details of current available opportunities can be found at GE Renewable Energy’s Careers Website.
A total of 200 roles will be needed to operate and maintain Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Under the five-year Service and Warranty Agreements, 170 of these will initially be employed by GE Renewable Energy. The remainder of operational and maintenance roles will be employed by wind farm operator Equinor and will include management, engineers, planners, administration and health and safety personnel. All Equinor and GE personnel will be co-located at Dogger Bank’s operations base at Port of Tyne for the five-year duration of the Service and Warranty Agreements.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located over 130 km off the north-east coast of England and each phase will be able to produce 6TWh of renewable electricity, totalling 18TWh annually, when complete in 2026, equivalent to powering six million UK homes each year or around 5% of the UK’s electricity demand. Due to its size and scale, the site is being built in three consecutive phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C.
Ends
Picture caption: Dogger Bank Wind Farm has confirmed GE Renewable Energy will supply and install 277 units of its ground-breaking Haliade-X turbine at the project following finalisation of all turbine supply and service contracts for what will be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm. As a result GE expects to create up to 470 green jobs for the UK in support of the delivery and operation of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. These new roles bring the total number of UK jobs that will be created to support the delivery and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm to almost 3,000 so far. Picture source: GE Renewable Energy.
For further information:
Media contact – Dogger Bank Wind Farm:
Richard Holligan, SSE Renewables
richard.holligan@sse.com
+44 (0) 7341 725026
Media contact – Dogger Bank Wind Farm:
Rachel Lawrence, SSE Renewables
rachel.lawrence@sse.com
+44 (0) 7385 368783
Media contact – GE Renewable Energy:
Sebastien Duchamp
sebastien.duchamp@ge.com
+33 6 73 19 59 64
