The Crown Estate has welcomed the UK Government’s approval of Dogger Bank Teesside A & B offshore wind project.
Head of Offshore Wind for The Crown Estate, Huub den Rooijen said: “Today’s announcement marks a great success for the future of the UK’s infrastructure development and is testimony to the hard work of Forewind and the wider offshore wind industry in getting these large scale projects through the planning system.
“The scale of the Dogger Bank projects offers a significant opportunity to continue to drive down costs, create high value jobs and support the UK’s transition to a low carbon energy supply.”
The power from Dogger Bank Teesside A&B will come to shore between Redcar and Marske-by-the–Sea, in Teesside and the nine kilometre onshore cable will connect into the national grid at the existing Lackenby Substation, adjacent to the Wilton International industrial complex.
When constructed, Dogger Bank Teesside A&B will be one of UK’s largest power generators, equal to Dogger Bank Creyke Beck and second only to the 3.9GW Drax coal-fired station in North Yorkshire.
It would be capable of generating 8 terrawatt hours (TWh) of green energy per annum, which is more than enough to power all the commercial and industrial consumers in the North East every year and equal to the amount used annually by approximately two million British homes.
Forewind General Manager, Tarald Gjerde said this second consent for offshore wind development at Dogger Bank is a major achievement for the consortium and its owners and paves the way for the phased delivery of projects across the Dogger Bank Zone.
“It represents a real opportunity for the UK receive even more of its energy from its abundant wind resource while creating significant economic benefits, particularly for the North East,” he said.
Dogger Bank Teesside A&B could create up to 4750 new direct and indirect full time equivalent jobs and generate more than £1.5 billion for the UK economy, with the majority of opportunities in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber regions.
“These local regions are well positioned to take advantage of the many supply chain and employment opportunities, due to both their geographical proximity to the development as well as their industrial and marine heritage, with existing skills in large-scale production activities and a history of offshore support.”
“The consent is a credit to the outstanding efforts made by both the Forewind project team members and the many seasoned consultants and expert suppliers who contributed to the application,” Gjerde concluded.
Image: Crown Estate