LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR NET ZERO ON DOGGER BANK

July 26, 2022 | Renewables | Energy Facts Staff Writer | 2min

– Significant milestone reached for world’s largest offshore wind farm as first wind turbine foundation works begin –
The installation of the first foundations for 277 wind turbines at Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea has commenced this week. The wind farm, which will be located more than 130km off the North East coast of England, will be the largest offshore wind farm and when operational will generate 3.6GW of energy – enough to power 6 million UK homes annually on completion.

The world-class renewable energy project is making a major contribution to SSE’s plans to invest in excess of £24bn this decade in Great Britain’s electricity infrastructure system. SSE Plc’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme (‘NZAP’) major infrastructure projects including Dogger Bank are expected to provide a huge boost to the UK’s ambition to provide everyone with cheaper, cleaner, more secure energy.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%), is made up of three offshore wind farm sites in the North Sea. SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, while Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

The installation of the first monopile and transition piece at Dogger Bank A, marks a significant milestone in the project.

The foundations, designed by UK-based designers from Wood Thilsted, are up to 72m in length, weigh on average 1057 tonnes and include the world’s largest 8m offshore wind flange. The design includes the world’s first split-level transition piece for safe installation and operation, with installation works being led by Seaway supported by DEME.

Installation of GE Renewable Energy’s ground-breaking Haliade-X turbines onto each of the installed turbine foundations will commence from Spring 2023.

Steel manufactured by Tata Steel in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool is being used in the supporting components of the transition pieces, while South Tyneside-based Metec and Rochdale-based Granada Material Handling have also won contracts with Smulders to support this innovative and world-leading project.

“Today we are delighted to announce that we’ve installed the first turbine foundation monopile and transition piece at our flagship Dogger Bank offshore wind project in the North Sea. This is a really important milestone for the project as it marks the commencement of our campaign to install 277 turbine foundations across the three phases of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

At SSE Renewables, we’re already building more offshore wind energy than any other company in the world. As lead operator during the construction phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, we’re working with our development and supply chain partners to install some of the world’s largest turbine foundations on this world-class project.

We’re also particularly proud of how this project is helping develop more secure and affordable homegrown UK energy. SSE is the UK’s clean energy champion, and no project epitomizes this status more than Dogger Bank. During this campaign we’re using foundations that are UK-designed and with components made from UK-manufactured steel, all of which are helping to support UK jobs and a fair and just transition to net zero.”