29th March 2023 in Construction, Project news
More than 80% of the ducts that will house the cables transmitting renewable energy from two offshore wind projects to the national electricity network has been installed in Teesside.
Working in cooperation, Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and Dogger Bank C, the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm share onshore cable corridors and to minimise local disruption, have joined forces to have their cable ducts installed by the same contractor at the same time.
The projects are both located on Dogger Bank, more than 195 kilometres from the north-east coast of England, with their export cables coming ashore on Teesside, between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea.
Sofia is 100% owned by RWE, and Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. Although they are owned by different companies, the developers realised early that it made sense to work jointly on their shared cable corridor, with civil engineering works being carried out by J Murphy & Sons (JMS). Sofia is leading the works on behalf of both projects.
More than 80% of the ducts that will house the cables transmitting renewable energy via the national electricity network on Teesside from two offshore wind farm projects are now in the ground and trenches backfilled. Work is underway on one key section of the route that requires the ducts to be installed using tunnelling rather than by trenching or horizontal directional drilling. Shafts have been established and a micro-tunnel boring machine is now working 24/7 to create four tunnels under the railway line at Black’s Bridge/Redcar Road.
The projects’ high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables will be pulled through the ducts, 7 kilometres to two new converter stations now under construction on the Wilton complex to the north-east of Lazenby. The first of the cables will arrive in the summer to be pulled through the ducts.
Each project will have a further 2 km of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables to transmit the converted power to the existing National Grid substation at Lackenby, where it will enter the national electricity network for distribution to homes and businesses.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm onshore package manager Stephen Reynolds, said:
“We really appreciate the ongoing patience of the local community as our joint contractor continues to install this critical infrastructure in readiness for first power from Dogger Bank C in 2025.
“Some of our ongoing works near the beach landfall requires extended working hours during evenings and weekends as we progress the projects, but our contractors are committed to ensuring mitigation is in place to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
Elsewhere on the two projects’ work is ongoing at the landfall site near Marske-by-the-Sea, with horizontal directional drilling due to take place between March and May in preparation for receiving the first cables this summer.
There may be some evening, overnight and Sunday working required at this location, but contractors are committed to ensuring noise and disturbance is minimal.
And at the site adjacent to the Wilton complex, near Lazenby village, work continues on the construction of the projects’ onshore converter stations as the valve halls, control rooms and storage buildings start to take shape. Some Sunday working will be required for the remainder of the year to carry out elements of groundwork and electrical installation, with measures also being taken there to minimise disruption.
27th March 2023 in Project news, Supply Chain, Uncategorised
- Work involves mechanical and electrical activities for the pre-assembly of the towers and nacelles
- Award supports 90 local jobs associated with multi-year effort to install, test, and commission Dogger Bank Wind Farm
GE Renewable Energy has selected Eastgate Engineering, based in Billingham, Teesside, to provide mechanical and electrical activities for the pre-assembly of the towers and nacelles for the Haliade-X turbines to be used at Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The contract is expected to support approximately 90 local jobs including electrical and mechanical technicians, supervision and project management.
The mechanical and electrical engineering work will be done at Able Seaton Port, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm marshalling harbour. The work began in January 2023 and is expected to continue throughout all three phases of the pre-assembly of the wind farm, which is set to conclude in 2026.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Commercial Director Simon Bailey, said:
“Eastgate Engineering is a very welcome addition to our Dogger Bank Wind Farm supply chain, as they help us prepare for turbine installation later this year. The Billingham-based company is one of a number of firms in the north-east bringing expertise to our world-leading project, which is supporting more than 2,000 UK-based roles during construction and operation.”
Nathan Fahey, GE Project Director for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“We are pleased to announce that we have selected Eastgate Engineering to provide mechanical and electrical engineering support for the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind farm. They have the expertise and strong local presence we are looking for in the companies we are engaging to support this project. This award is another in a series of contracts with companies in the Teesside area that will both support and create jobs today and well into the future.”
David Brennan, Managing Director of Eastgate Engineering, said:
“Eastgate Engineering is delighted to work in close partnership with GE to deliver the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Our highly skilled, locally based workforce is excited to support such a historic project with such an important role to play in bringing more clean, renewable offshore wind online in the UK.”
GE announced in December 2022 it had selected Mammoet UK, based in Thornaby Teesside, to supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the staging and assembly of turbine components for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
20th March 2023 in Community News, Operations
A South Shields primary school choir sang at the official opening of the operations and maintenance base for Dogger Bank Wind Farm at the Port of Tyne.
St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, attended the opening on behalf of the borough.
Jenny Parker, deputy headteacher and music lead at the primary school, said: “As a school situated in Tyne Dock, it has been wonderful to be involved in such an exciting event taking place on our doorstep and to raise the profile of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion.
“To be there at the opening has sparked interest in the children to find out more about renewable energy and the positive impact it has on our world.”
The choir comprises 29 pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6. They sang four songs to the guests as they arrived in the warehouse: Something Just Like This by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers, Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves, Fight Song by Rachel Platten and concluded with Big River by Jimmy Nail.
“The choir sang beautifully, and we received lots of compliments about their performance, particularly their rendition of Big River, which everyone loved,” added Mrs Parker.
Ethan Murry, nine, a Year 4 pupil, said: “We were very brave to sing in front of the mayor and the other important guests.”
Jesse Carr, nine, a pupil in Year 4, said: “I felt really underdressed walking in as everyone was in suits and ties. It was really good fun though.”
Holly Walker, eight, also in Year 4, added: “I thought it was cool that we were given hats and scarves to wear.”
Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager for Equinor said: “The ethos of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is to support local communities and our guests expected local dignitaries to attend the opening ceremony. However, we kept the choir a surprise and they far exceeded our expectations. Feedback so far is that this was the highlight for guests and even UK Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart who attended the event has sent his personal thanks to the brilliant school choir. The acapella version of Big River was amazing for all to hear”.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.
South Tyneside Music Service emailed schools for interest to sing at the official opening and SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School was chosen.
15th March 2023 in Operations, Project news
- 150 guests and employees gathered to celebrate the official opening.
- The state-of-the-art base will be the hub for operations and monitor 5% of UK electricity from its control room.
- Over 400 long-term jobs have been created locally to support Operations and Maintenance from South Tyneside for the 35-year life of the wind farm.
- The world-class facility will be operated in line with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework
Yesterday, the local community and distinguished guests including Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart MP, gathered to celebrate the official opening of the O&M base for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
150 employees and guests gathered in South Tyneside to christen the O&M base at Port of Tyne, which will serve as the hub for operations for Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The O&M base also houses the control room that will monitor and manage 5% of the UK’s electricity generating capacity, which is produced by the offshore wind farm.
Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said:
“The UK already boasts the four largest offshore wind farms in the world and I am delighted that Dogger Bank will overtake all of them in three years’ time. Having already delivered on green jobs and growth, Dogger Bank will be at the heart of boosting energy security for Britain and meeting the Energy Security Secretary’s ambition to have among the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe.”
Pål Eitrheim, EVP Renewables at Equinor, said:
“We’re proud to be delivering Dogger Bank Wind Farm with our partners SSE Renewables and Vårgrønn. We look forward to operating this major power generation asset for the next 35 years from the state-of-the art O&M base at the Port of Tyne. At Equinor, we always aim to bring economic value to the local community hosting our offshore wind project. This base is a shining example of the long-term, positive contribution that offshore wind will continue to bring to the North East of England.”
Dogger Bank Project Director at SSE Renewables, Oliver Cass, said:
“Today is an important day for everyone involved in our ground-breaking project as we move closer to delivering first power in the summer. Building a wind farm on this scale requires huge talent and dedication. I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who’s played their part in our journey so far, including the thousands of skilled UK employees who are truly world-class.”
Over 400 long-term roles have been created locally to support the operations and maintenance of the wind farm, based at the Port of Tyne facility. In total, over 2,000 UK jobs have been created or supported through the Dogger Bank project. The wind farm, which will generate 3.6 GW of capacity, is being built in three 1.2 GW phases, named Dogger Bank A, B & C, and will be able to power the equivalent of 6 million UK homes on completion.
Councillor Pat Hay, Mayor of South Tyneside, said:
“This is a milestone moment and I am delighted to be here to officially open this facility. South Tyneside is honoured to be at the heart of this project, whose benefits to our community, now and in the future, can’t be underestimated. Dogger Bank places us at the forefront of the UK’s offshore renewables industry and represents our commitment to growth, innovation and sustainability. Along with our private sector partners, we can build a cleaner, greener future and ensure our residents can capitalise from the opportunities this world-class facility is creating right on our doorstep.”
The Port of Tyne O&M base building was designed by Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture and has been constructed and will be operated in line with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework. Bowmer + Kirkland built the base with a focus on local construction, with over £7.5 million spent with construction companies in Northeast England.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.
Picture caption: Project Director Olly Cass, Mayor of South Tyneside Jan Hay, Operations Director Mark Halliday, Council Leader Tracey Dixon, EVP Renewables Equinor, Pal Eitrheim
(Photo: Dave Bell / Equinor ASA)
14th February 2023 in Construction, Press releases, Supply Chain
Edda Wind has launched a daughter craft crew transfer vessel (CTV) for use on Dogger Bank Wind Farm designed by UK-based industry pioneers Chartwell Marine.
The innovative new vessel has been built by Alicat Workboats Ltd and was named Boreas Worker. It was built on behalf of Astilleros Gondan SA before entering service for operator Edda Wind, as part of the firm’s contract during commissioning and construction of the first phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The 12-metre CTV, which will work in conjunction with Edda Wind’s fleet of hydrogen-ready commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), is the first of a new catamaran daughter craft design to be commissioned.
The Chartwell daughter craft responds to the need in the offshore wind support market for low-emissions, cost-effective vessels, with the catamaran’s optimised hull form offering efficient fuel use as well as stability and manoeuvrability in choppy waters.
Boreas Worker has a capacity of 12 personnel and is designed to be conveniently deployed from CSOVs and ‘floatels’ during extended offshore stays, offering wind farm technicians comfortable and efficient access to turbines, vessels, and other critical project infrastructure.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn, is set to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The three phases of the project, known as A, B, and C, will provide an overall total capacity of 3.6GW, capable of powering 6 million homes.
Boreas Worker will form a versatile addition to Edda Wind’s fleet as it supports Phase A of construction this spring.
Andy Page, Director of Chartwell Marine, said:
“The Daughter Craft fulfils a key role in a modern support vessel fleet – giving vessel operators a way to safely transfer engineers from rest-space to work-space while out at sea for longer periods of time, ultimately streamlining the processes of turbine commissioning and maintenance.
“We’re excited to be able to contribute our design expertise to an offshore energy project of this scale, and especially one off our own shores. We’d like to thank our partners at Edda Wind for choosing us to help get Dogger Bank built.”
Kenneth Walland, CEO of Edda Wind, said:
“Daughter craft workboats give more flexibility to our offshore wind operations in addition to the CSOV — and we need to ensure that we set the same standards of technical availability, efficiency, and performance across every vessel in our fleet. Chartwell’s proven track record bringing innovative small vessel designs into operation made them a clear choice of partner for this project. We are therefore pleased to launch the Boreas Worker, joining the Edda Boreas in supporting the construction of Dogger Bank.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Commercial Director, Simon Bailey, said:
“The UK-designed Boreas Worker vessel will be a welcome addition to our construction and commissioning fleet, providing safe and efficient transfers for our team as we install our first turbines this year.”
