Dogger Bank Teesside

Dogger Bank Teesside
Name	Dogger Bank Teesside
Location	North Sea, United Kingdom
Status	Planned / Under development
Owner	Equinor, SSE Renewables (partnerships)
Capacity mw	~1,200 (phase-dependent)
Turbines	Offshore wind turbines (GE, Siemens, Vestas candidates)
Start construction	2020s (phased)
Commissioning	2020s–2030s (phased)

Dogger Bank Teesside is an offshore wind development situated on the Dogger Bank area in the North Sea off the coast of County Durham and Teesside in the United Kingdom. The project forms part of a cluster of renewable energy schemes driven by companies including Equinor ASA and SSE plc, contributing to the UK's Net Zero targets and offshore wind expansion alongside developments such as Hornsea Project One, Dogger Bank A, and Dogger Bank B. It ties into national infrastructure managed by organizations such as National Grid plc and regulatory frameworks administered by The Crown Estate and the UK Government's energy departments.

Overview

Dogger Bank Teesside occupies a site on the Dogger Bank sandbank in the Central North Sea near other major projects like Hornsea Project Two and East Anglia ONE. The scheme is part of the broader Dogger Bank complex which involves developers such as Equinor ASA, SSE plc, and partners active in sectors with players like ScottishPower Renewables, Ørsted A/S, and Vattenfall AB. It is designed to deliver multi-hundred megawatt phases, interlinking with transmission operators, offshore supply chains from ports like Teesport and Hartlepool, and manufacturing hubs in Sunderland and Tyne and Wear.

Development and Ownership

The ownership structure has evolved through bids, joint ventures, and corporate agreements involving entities including Equinor ASA, SSE plc, Innogy SE (historical participants), and investment from firms akin to Macquarie Group and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Licensing and seabed rights were influenced by The Crown Estate leasing rounds and the Offshore Petroleum Regulations framework. Financial close discussions engaged institutions such as Bank of China, HSBC Holdings plc, and Barclays plc in financing models comparable to those used by Ørsted's Hornsea and RWE Renewables projects.

Technical Specifications and Infrastructure

Technical plans reference turbine suppliers in the mould of GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, and Vestas Wind Systems A/S with individual unit capacities potentially ranging from models similar to the GE Haliade-X, Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD, and Vestas V174. Foundations may use monopile, jacket, or suction bucket designs from fabricators such as Sembcorp Marine, Bilfinger SE, and Lamprell PLC. Subsea cable manufacturing and installation could involve contractors like Nexans S.A., Prysmian Group, and installation vessels comparable to MPI Discovery and Seajack. Offshore substations and HVAC/HVDC converter stations reference technology shown by ABB Ltd., Siemens Energy, and Hitachi Energy with onshore reinforcement at Net Zero Teesside and grid nodes operated by National Grid ESO.

Environmental Impact and Assessments

Environmental impact assessments engaged statutory bodies including Natural England, Marine Management Organisation, and Environment Agency. Surveys addressed interactions with protected sites like the Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation, species such as harbour porpoise and common seal, and avifauna similar to gannet and kittiwake. Studies referenced methodologies used in assessments for Hornsea and Thanet projects and mitigation strategies aligned with guidance from Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fisheries consultations involved stakeholders including the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and local fleets from Whitby and Scarborough.

Grid Connection and Operations

Grid connection planning coordinates with National Grid ESO and transmission owners via licences under the Electricity Act 1989 and mechanisms similar to Contracts for Difference allocation used in UK renewable policy. Offshore transmission assets may be developed under regulated models analogous to Offshore Transmission Owner arrangements seen with Orsted projects, with operational control centers comparable to those run by SSE Renewables and Equinor. O&M strategies look to port logistics at Teesport and Port of Tyne, and employ vessels and technicians akin to operators at Beatrice Wind Farm and Walney Extension.

Economic and Community Impact

Economic impact forecasts parallel studies for Hornsea Project One and Dogger Bank A/B/C, projecting local supply chain benefits to manufacturing clusters in Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Teesside University-linked research. Employment and skills initiatives mirror partnerships between developers and institutions like Durham University, Newcastle University, and University of Hull. Community benefit funds and local engagement follow precedents set by British Wind Energy Association (now RenewableUK) guidance and collaboration with local authorities such as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Darlington Borough Council.

Project Timeline and Future Plans

Phased delivery aligns with UK leasing timelines and offshore consent milestones, comparable to schedules for Dogger Bank A and Hornsea Projects. Key milestones have involved planning applications to Scarborough Borough Council or county planning bodies, environmental submissions to Marine Management Organisation, and commercial agreements with turbine suppliers and grid operators. Future plans include potential expansion, technology upgrades reflecting advances by GE Renewable Energy and Siemens Energy, and integration with regional decarbonisation projects like Net Zero Teesside and hydrogen initiatives supported by UK Research and Innovation.

Category:Offshore wind farms in the North Sea