Latest news

Promoting Opportunities in Green Growth for Future Generations

28th July 2023 in Community News

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is enabling young people in South Tyneside and beyond to share what a career in offshore renewable energy may be like. 

Five students spent a week with the Dogger Bank team, based at the wind farm’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base at the Port of Tyne. The work experience programme was organised by the operator of the wind farm, Equinor. The students, four from Whitburn Church of England Academy and one from George Stephenson High, spent the week attending events and workshops, including a visit to South Shields Town Hall, and meeting local dignitaries. 

Tom Nightingale, Equinor North East Stakeholder Manager, said:  

“We have a number of commitments towards skills in our supply chain plan, but this work experience is something we were keen to introduce, helping us go over and above our commitment and really just provide a great experience to the next generation.  

“Offshore wind is helping the UK on a journey towards a greener future and there are so many opportunities for the energy supply chain, local businesses, and new start-ups. Working with the council is helping promote opportunities in green growth that can have a long-term benefit for South Tyneside residents.” 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s base on Tyneside is a world-class O&M hub that serves as the home base for nearly 400 employees operating and maintaining what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once completed. When at full capacity, the wind farm will supply 5% of the UK’s electricity demand. 

Councillor John McCabe, Mayor of South Tyneside said:  

“Through the Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project, Operator Equinor will be creating jobs in South Tyneside for years to come, so it is important that young people know about these opportunities and can see what a career in the offshore industry entails.  

“Work experience is important across all sectors and career paths, and one of the key areas that our South Tyneside Pledge organisations are supporting us with.  

“South Tyneside Council engages with local schools and supports businesses by offering work experience, and we would encourage anybody interested to sign the pledge and commit to supporting careers programmes in the borough.” 

The South Tyneside Pledge is for all organisations in South Tyneside, big or small, public, or private, to commit to small steps to boost the local economy and reduce health inequality. The Council is hoping that more companies will sign up to create work experience opportunities for young people in the borough. 

George Stephenson student, Joshua Blake, said:  

“I am a huge believer and advocate for renewable energy, and have learned this week that the transition from oil and gas dependency is not simple and will take a great deal of time and planning. It is essential we transition to cleaner energy and companies like Equinor are doing a fantastic job. 

“My highlight was visiting South Tyneside Council and speaking to the Mayor. It was interesting to see how they have close links to North Tyneside Council and how they work closely with Equinor and other energy companies working towards a sustainable future.” 

Gabby Smithies, from Whitburn Academy said:  

“Work experience shows young adults the possibilities that exist within South Tyneside and the North East in so many different, new, and innovative companies and sectors. My work experience has opened a new industry up to me – one that I wouldn’t have thought would be available to me without this placement. 

“It has been enlightening. The range of activities is wide-spanning and interesting – from networking events and marketing, tours of emergency survival facilities to the Little Inventors exhibition. There’s never a boring moment.” 

Through collaboration with businesses, South Tyneside Council aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and networks to pursue rewarding careers in flourishing industries, benefiting not only the individual but also the company and further contribute to the growth and sustainability of the offshore renewables sector, playing such a vital role in the UK’s transition to a greener and more sustainable future. 

Tom Nightingale, Equinor North East Stakeholder Manager, added: 

“Dogger Bank Wind Farm is focused on delivering skills initiatives for all age groups and supporting young people through all stages of their learning journey. Work experience is a great opportunity for us to support the local community, providing a taster of a career in offshore wind, and we get just as much benefit and enjoyment from it as the students.” 

Building our Future celebrates its first year’s success

21st July 2023 in Community News, Press releases

Building our Future, the STEM-focussed primary careers-learning programme, funded by Dogger Bank Wind Farm, held its first year celebration at Redcar & Cleveland College recently. 

The Building Our Future programme aims to embed careers education into every primary school in Redcar and Cleveland through engaging workshops supported by local employers. The programme is being delivered by Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency with strategic support and guidance from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. 

Joined by employers, partners and schools, the programme leaders highlighted the success of the first year’s programme, delivered after a pilot programme in 2021-22.  

More than 560 young people from 20 Redcar & Cleveland primary and SEND schools have worked with the Building our Future team, and local employers, to learn the skills and knowledge required for the future workforce, particularly within renewable energy industries, such as Dogger Bank. 

John Anthony, Vice Chair, Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency: 

The “Building our Futures” programme is undoubtedly a triumph for teamwork but most importantly a triumph for all the young people who have grown through the process and for those who are still to benefit. 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm have supported the programme, not only with funding and resources, but ensuring commitment for employer engagement with schools across their wide and diverse supply chain partnerships. The project unveiled plans for our £1 million investment in key communities of Redcar & Cleveland, East Riding of Yorkshire and South Tyneside in June 2021.

The Dogger Bank team worked with local education providers in Redcar and Cleveland to create a bespoke legacy for the wind farm that tackles the specific educational needs of each community and directly addresses the requirements of young people in the region. 

Lindsay Dougan, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: 

We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who’s made this programme a success in its first year, especially those local employers who’ve given up their time to give 562 children the opportunity to learn about a diverse range of STEM careers right on their doorstep. To hear the children talking so enthusiastically and in such an informed way about STEM, is a testament to the hard work of many organisations and individuals working together to raise aspirations and help young people to unlock their potential.”  

Employers working on local regeneration projects are also committing resources and time as part of their corporate social responsibility, to the Building our Future programme, allowing pupils to visit local sites, and work with a range of staff, including project managers, civil engineers and architects. 

Luke Myer, Elected Member and Lead for Children and Families, said:  

“Building our Future is an inspiring programme that is benefitting many children in Redcar and Cleveland, highlighting to them what they could be become in the future through the wide range of local STEM businesses and job roles. We are grateful to all the employers and partners who have made the programme such a success over the past year.” 

Building our Future has also been able to offer wider support to schools with science curriculum resources and activities, visits to local colleges, literacy materials courtesy of Dogger Bank Wind Farm sub-supplier Keltbray and its When I Grow Up book, and National Careers Week career events. 

Quote from Stuart Wilson BEng (Hons) CEng MIET, Technical Director, Sweco, said:

The “Building our Future” programme is all about inspiring the next generation of Engineers which aligns with my own principles and those of Sweco where “we plan and design the sustainable cities and communities of our future …however I was never given the opportunity to understand the diverse opportunities that a career in Engineering could offer. This is why it is really important to me personally to be able to work with our future generations so they better understand how diverse a career in Engineering can be and this is exactly what the fantastic Building our Future programme is all about.”

CHC Helicopter secures aviation contract on Dogger Bank Wind Farm

6th July 2023 in Press releases, Supply Chain

CHC Helicopter, a global helicopter services company specialising in offshore transportation, has been awarded a contract to support the construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. 

CHC has been contracted to provide crew change support for the development of the first phase of the project – Dogger Bank A, with the first flights launched at the end of April. The company is providing AW139 and H175 aircraft to support the contract from its Norwich base. 

Alan Borland, Project Manager, Dogger Bank Wind Farm said: 

“Being so far from shore presents new challenges to how we manage logistics in Offshore wind, which can only be overcome through the use of trusted suppliers so we are delighted that CHC will join the project to as our aviation partner to support us in our crew changes during the construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.” 

CHC Helicopter has a long-standing track record of delivering innovative aviation solutions in challenging environments worldwide.  

David Grant, Sales Director, EMEA, said 

“We are thrilled to be selected as the aviation partner for the construction of the world’s largest offshore wind farm. This significant project represents a major step towards achieving a greener future, and we are fully committed to supporting the development of sustainable energy sources. Our team is hard at work already to provide safe and efficient services to ensure the success and on-time completion of this ambitious undertaking.” 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm works with supply chain partners to empower young minds in interactive STEM workshop

29th June 2023 in Community News, Press releases

An interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) workshop was held at Bankfields Primary School as part of Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s ongoing commitment to coastal communities during its construction phase.

The Building Our Future primary careers workshop was led by the wind farm’s supply chain partner, Hitachi Energy and the Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA).

The Eston-based school is situated less than 4 miles from the convertor station construction site at Lazenby for the third phase of the wind farm, known as Dogger Bank C.

The project unveiled plans for its £1 million investment in communities in June 2021 and the Dogger Bank team has worked with local education providers in East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar & Cleveland and South Tyneside to create a bespoke legacy for the wind farm that tackles the specific educational needs of each community and directly addresses the requirements of young people in the region.

The Building Our Future programme aims to embed careers education into every primary school in Redcar and Cleveland through engaging workshops supported by local employers. The programme is being delivered by Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency with strategic support and guidance from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

562 children from 20 schools have taken part in Building Our Futures workshops since its launch last year.

In addition to enhancing STEM provision in the classroom, several local students from Redcar and Cleveland will receive a scholarship to help with the cost of further education qualifications while studying STEM subjects. Last year, an additional twenty-five students from coastal communities in the north and north-east of England were supported with the cost of further education, thanks to the scholarship programme of £5,000 each from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

The Scholarship Fund provides grants to local students undertaking STEM courses in further education. The recently awarded grants were part of the second round of the fund, with 50 scholarships awarded to date and a total of 62 scholarships available during the construction of the wind farm. The initiative focuses on the areas of East Riding of Yorkshire and Redcar and Cleveland, where the windfarm will connect to the National Grid, as well as South Tyneside, where the Operation and Maintenance Base is located.

The application process for the Dogger Bank Scholarship programme has now re-opened to applicants until 1 September 2023. To apply, please click here.

During the session at Bankfields Primary School, students had the opportunity to work closely with local employers and get a unique understanding of the world of work, by introducing them to a wide range of alternative occupations. During the workshop, under the guidance of industry experts from Hitachi Energy, Bankfields Year 5 classes were provided with makeshift materials and tools to assemble wind turbines and explore how wind power can be harnessed to generate electricity.

The children also learned about the various energy sources and the fundamental principles behind wind energy, gaining insights into the mechanics of turbines and exploring the importance of sustainable practices.

Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency Primary Careers Co-ordinator, Jacqui Hutchinson said:

“Just a year into this programme we are already seeing the difference it’s making to children aged 5 to 11. Young people are demonstrating more interest and enthusiasm for STEM careers, and they’re using this knowledge to make sense of the world around them.”

Hitachi Energy Site Administrator, Leanne Smith said: 

“It’s important for the supply chain to support the programme, to provide knowledge about the renewable energy sector and how this type of work now, will benefit the youngsters in the future. Hopefully the children will have a better understanding between renewable and non-renewable resources and encourage them to choose a greener option.”

STEM, careers and enterprise lead at Bankfields Primary, Megan Kelly said:

“Our children were given the opportunity to learn about some of the many careers in renewable energy.  The afternoon was informative, fun and inspirational and the children absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for opening their minds to new possibilities.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Community Engagement Officer, Alexandria Hanson said:

“We’re grateful to all the local employers who’ve got behind this Dogger Bank Wind Farm-funded programme in its first year.

“We’ve had a great response from our supply chain partners, who recognise the importance of giving back to local communities and inspiring the next generation of STEM experts.

“As we celebrate Wind Energy Week this week, we reflect on the difference we’re able to make to young people by funding a programme that puts innovation and skills at the heart of their educational experiences.” 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be located more than 130 km off the northeast coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes. A joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, and Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

The wind farm is being built in three consecutive 1.2 GW phases: Dogger Bank A, B and C – connecting to the National Grid in both East Riding of Yorkshire and on Teesside. The third phase of the wind farm, Dogger Bank C, will reach landfall at Marske-by-the-sea. The underground onshore cables will be routed to an onshore convertor station near Lazenby, where preparation work is already underway. Once the current is converted, the renewable energy will make its way to an existing National Grid substation at Lackenby.

The wind farm also has an Operators Fund to support local charities and community groups, with grants up to £1000. This fund will help support projects which enhance the quality of life for residents, contribute to sustainable communities or help promote community spirit. Further information is available at here.

About Redcar and Cleveland Council:

Redcar and Cleveland Council is a local government organisation providing a range of services to East Riding residents including Council Tax billing, libraries, social services, processing planning applications, waste collection and disposal, and it is a local education authority. The councils’ education and schools, improvement and learning service which is the key service involved in this submission.

In the Redcar and Cleveland Council and beyond in South Tyneside and East Riding of Yorkshire, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm education partnerships are inspiring children and young people for a working life in a net-zero world. Within the East Riding during the construction of the wind farm, a unique partnership of local education networks and Dogger Bank Wind Farm aims to increase and expand the knowledge of children in STEM and the jobs of the future.

About the delivery partners:

Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency

Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency is a charity focused on social action, offering practical support and advocacy for registered charities, social enterprises and the hundreds of grass roots groups that make up the vibrant and growing voluntary sector in Redcar and Cleveland.

Little inventor’s idea brought to life by South Tyneside businesses

28th June 2023 in Community News, Press releases

As part of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council’s Little Inventors programme, a young inventor is to see his planet-saving idea spring to life, with the support of two South Tyneside pioneers.

Nine-year-old Isaac, from Cleadon, visited Ford Aerospace at Port of Tyne this week to present his Wind Mirrors to a panel of high-profile business leaders.

Isaac created a planet-saving invention as part of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm and South Tyneside Council’s Little Inventors Programme. This is among 8 inventions that local businesses will bring to life over the upcoming months.

Working in partnership with schools across the borough, the Little Inventors Programme launched in February as a challenge to year 4 and 5 students to create inventions powered by movement and wind that could help reverse climate change.

Isaac’s idea, ‘Wind Mirrors’, would see propellors manufactured that could be attached underneath vehicle wing mirrors to generate renewable electricity that can be used to power vehicular accessories.

As Isaac explained in his presentation:

“The propellers will spin in the wind as the car moves which will then provide electricity, which will power the radio and sat nav.

“This is also a safety feature because it can power the rear and front headlights. Also, the propellers are underneath the mirrors, so it doesn’t obstruct the driver’s view.”
Cell Pack Solutions and Ford Aerospace were two of the many local businesses and bright minds to back the campaign, with both companies agreeing to collaborate to help bring one of the winning ideas to life.

Both organisations were inspired to get involved having signed the South Tyneside Pledge, a commitment by over two hundred local organisations to boost local economic activity, reduce health inequalities, lower carbon emissions, and enhance civic pride. Equinor, future operator of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is also a signatory of the pledge.
After finding out about Isaac’s idea and being ‘blown away’ by his ‘thorough and diverse’ invention, they agreed to work together to develop a working prototype, with Isaac leading as the project manager.

Speaking after the presentation, Isaac said:

“I spend a lot of time drawing cars and building this with LEGO, so I was really happy when I found out I had won.

“The idea was to use a propellor that can generate wind from the momentum of the car and use it to power things such as the sat nav. We have also spoken about using a battery to store the electricity but that would be further down the line.

“It’s been totally mad seeing the design come to life and seeing how the two companies have worked together on it and I can’t wait to see the final version once they have made the improvements we discussed today. It’s all been really worthwhile.”

The Dogger Bank Community Fund and South Tyneside Council launched the Little Inventors Programme to support and increase understanding of skills in science, technology, engineering and maths for young people and their parents and to raise awareness of the economic and environmental opportunities presented by renewable energy.

Each of the winning ideas will be on show at a public exhibition at The Word, South Shields from July 16th 2023 until the end of November 2023. Visitors to The Word will also be able to submit their own ideas, with one further idea being brought to life and exhibited from September 2023.

Tom Nightingale, North East Stakeholder Manager for Equinor, said:

“It is fantastic to see the local community helping to develop new inventions linked to renewable energy as we look to tackle climate change. Isaac is one of many little inventors with great ideas that are building on our work at Dogger Bank Wind Farm to start a green revolution from here in South Tyneside. We are looking forward to seeing the inventions brought to life and it is even better that the campaign is being backed by local businesses.”

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport, said:

“Isaac must be incredibly proud that his idea is to be turned into a real product with the help of local businesses.

“This programme is an excellent way of inspiring children and igniting their passion for STEM not just in the classroom, but to find innovative solutions to real-life problems.

“As Isaac has illustrated, we have some brilliant young minds in the borough!”

For more information, visit: https://southtyneside.littleinventors.org/