Dogger Bank Wind Farm has announced further funding valued at £23 million to support coastal areas within the North and North Eastern region over its operational lifetime.

This promise includes focused funding for projects that support STEM education for young people, building the necessary knowledge to achieve a net zero future. The announcement comes during Wind Energy Week, highlighting the achievements in the industry and what is required to deliver large-scale progress.

Dogger Bank, located over 130 km from the Yorkshire coastline, will produce enough energy to support six million properties in the UK annually. The wind project, a joint venture between SSE, Equinox and Vargronn, first produced power in 2023. The community fund expands on the £1 million community fund created in the construction stage of Dogger Bank, supporting over 36,000 young people in hundreds of schools, university scholarships and grants for local community groups.

Aside from the Dogger Bank Community funds, 50% of the wind farm’s rental payments to the Crown Estate will support the Coastal Communities Fund, a UK Government-backed plan to support the economic development of coastal regions. Within the existing plan, the funds within the Coastal Communities Fund represent 1% of the wind farm’s gross revenue, which could add up to millions of pounds invested in coastal areas during the operational lifetime of Dogger Bank.

Dan McGrail, the CEO of RenewableUK, explains that the commitment by Dogger Bank to allocate an additional £25 million to local communities highlights that the offshore wind sector provides considerable economic benefits to coastal areas. McGrail highlights that the funding will support students and community groups, providing opportunities for new careers. McGrail explains that the industry is transforming lives in coastal communities nationwide, and Dogger Bank is a fine example of this partnership working.

The Dogger Bank community fund will focus in the short term on core communities in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Recar Cleveland and South Tyneside.

Mark Halliday, the operations director of Dogger Bank, explains that the operations community fund aims to empower and strengthen communities by investing in projects that make an impact. Halliday highlights that they are excited to support the levelling up agenda by partnering with schools in North and North Eastern England. By creating a desire for science, technology, engineering and math, Dogger Bank hopes to support the next generation with the necessary skills to be part of a sustainable future.

Oliver Cass, the project director of Dogger Bank, explains the privilege they have to work with education providers and local communities to accelerate a programme of investment, generating long-term benefits for communities. Developers must collaborate with local communities to sustainably create the green energy infrastructure to shape our future.

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