Equinor and SSE begin scoping work for 4th Dogger Bank phase

Equinor and SSE Renewables have begun early scoping work for a potential fourth phase of their gigantic Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.

Dogger Bank D could add another 1.32GW of generation capacity to the 3.6GW already under construction with phases A, B and C. It would be located in the eastern zone of the Dogger Bank C lease area.

The project partners said they are exploring two potential options for utilising the power generated by Dogger Bank D. In the first, the wind farm would be connected to the power grid in Lincolnshire, where National Grid is installing new network infrastructure to support the government’s goal of deploying 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.

In the second, Dogger Bank D would be used to power a dedicated electrolysis facility in the Humber region, which could become the UK’s largest green hydrogen project, as well as possibly being connected to the transmission network.

They said the progression of Dogger Bank D to construction would require both a development consent order from the secretary of state and an agreement on seabed leasing from The Crown Estate.

Halfdan Brustad, vice president for Dogger Bank at Equinor, said: “Optimising the Dogger Bank C lease area with an additional phase, Dogger Bank D, is in-line with Equinor’s strategy to further develop offshore wind projects in clusters such as the North Sea.

He continued: “Both the grid offtake and green hydrogen production options from Dogger Bank D would contribute to the UK’s net zero ambitions and emphasise Equinor’s ability to deliver a broad energy offering to the UK.”

Paul Cooley, director of offshore wind at SSE Renewables, said: “At SSE Renewables we’re focussed on delivering and building a homegrown energy system for the UK that is cheaper, cleaner and more secure. That’s why we’re taking action to develop more of the new offshore wind energy needed to radically increase renewable generation.

“We’re already building the world’s largest offshore wind farm at Dogger Bank, and now with our established partners Equinor we’re delighted to unveil plans to develop a potential fourth phase of the project, Dogger Bank D.”

The first three phases of the Dogger Bank project, located 130 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire, are being delivered by a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vargronn – the latter being a joint venture between Plenitude, a subsidiary of the Italian oil giant Eni, and the Norwegian energy investor HitecVision. SSE Renewables is leading on construction, whilst Equinor will operate the wind farm once it is completed.

Offshore construction on Dogger Bank A started in 2022 with the installation of high-voltage cables and turbine foundations. Turbine installation will begin later this year, which is also expected to see the first power generated.

Equinor and SSE Thermal are additionally working together on a series of key projects for the Zero Carbon Humber industrial cluster, including Keadby 3, which could become the UK’s first gas power station fitted with carbon capture and storage; the Keadby hydrogen power station; and the Aldbrough hydrogen storage facility.

The green hydrogen production facility being considered for Dogger Bank D could be connected to the hydrogen network also being developed as part of the Zero Carbon Humber initiative.