Insights and Stories

Two major adjoining offshore wind farm projects that together represent a multi-billion-pound investment marked the start of their onshore construction at Wilton International with an official ground-breaking on 7 July 2021 by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Jacob Young, MP for Redcar.

The separate wind farm projects, Sofia and Dogger Bank C, are sited on Dogger Bank in the middle of the North Sea, more than 190 kilometres from the North East coast. The power they produce will be transmitted by export cables that arrive on shore between Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, in Teesside.

Despite different ownership – Sofia is owned by RWE Renewables while Dogger Bank C, the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, is owned 50/50 by SSE Renewables and Equinor – the projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity and to reduce impacts on local stakeholders.

Andy Koss, CEO UK & Middle East, Sembcorp Industries, joined the Mayor and MP with management from both projects at our Wilton International site, where the onshore converter stations will be, to officially kick-off the work.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said:

“For generations Teesside has been known the world over for our steel, engineering, and processing skills, now we are leading the way in offshore wind and developing the next generation of fuels, such as hydrogen. Projects like the Sofia and Dogger Bank offshore wind farms are critical if the government is to hit its ambitious target for the UK to be net zero by 2050, and Teesside is playing a key role.

“Today’s ground-breaking is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and commitment by so many people and symbolises a significant step forward on our path to net zero and the thousands of good-quality, well paid jobs the clean energy revolution will create right here in Teesside.”

The early phase of site activity is being carried out by contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK and will continue for the rest of the year in readiness for the arrival of the converter station contractors in 2022.

Sofia Project Director Matthew Swanwick said:

“The official start of onshore construction is a culmination of many years of planning and development and testament to a huge effort, so it was a pleasure to be able to welcome Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to site today. But it is also the start of an intense period of activity and we look forward to our continued positive working relationship with Dogger Bank C, Sembcorp Energy UK and all our contractors and stakeholders over the coming years.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:

“As responsible developers working in the same area we’re committed to ensuring the impact on local businesses and communities is minimal. We were delighted that Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Andy Koss of Sembcorp Energy UK joined us on-site today to mark the start of this work by UK-based Jones Bros. This event marks an important milestone for both developments and demonstrates great progress for the future of green energy in the UK.”

The projects, being built on a 20-acre plot, will be one of the largest construction projects that Wilton International has seen in recent years.

Sembcorp Industries CEO UK & Middle East, Andy Koss said:

“Following the groundworks undertaken by Sembcorp Energy UK, it’s fantastic to see this next stage of the project now underway. Teesside is becoming an important hub for the offshore wind sector, due to its industrial and manufacturing heritage, experienced workforce, and location. We are well equipped and ready to deal with major infrastructure projects such as this, and proud to facilitate sustainable solutions that will help the UK reach its Net Zero target”.

The work to construct both the converter stations will take around four years and is due to be completed in 2025.

Official ground-breaking for offshore wind projects Sofia and Dogger Bank C (L-R): project directors Steve Wilson of SSE and Matthew Swanwick of RWE, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Redcar MP Jacob Young, and Sembcorp’s Andy Koss.