Dogger Bank Wind Farm Invests £25 Million in Coastal Communities
29 June 2024 –Dogger Bank Wind Farm has announced an additional £25 million in funding to support coastal communities across the North and North East of England over its 35-year operational lifespan. This investment will enhance science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education for young people, equipping them with the skills to succeed in a net zero world.
The new community fund builds on the £1 million community fund established during the construction phase, which has already supported over 36,000 young people across 204 schools, provided 62 university scholarships, and granted 87 community projects. The project has created or supported over 2,000 jobs in the UK, contributing to the 100,000+ UK offshore wind jobs needed to meet current national targets.
The investment includes growing the current scholarship programme, with 30 scholarships a year for students studying STEM subjects. The fund will focus on the key communities of East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar & Cleveland, and South Tyneside, where the renewable energy from the wind farm comes ashore and where the operation and maintenance base is located.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail praised Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s commitment, stating that the offshore wind industry can provide significant economic benefits to coastal areas. Mark Halliday, Dogger Bank Operations Director, emphasized the importance of empowering communities and supporting the levelling up agenda through STEM education.
Local organisations can submit their applications through the Dogger Bank website. The operational fund will be reviewed periodically in collaboration with local educational experts to ensure it meets the needs of local communities.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn, is set to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once complete, producing enough renewable energy to supply electricity to six million homes in the UK annually.
