Wind Energy

Statoil, Statkraft, SSE and RWE npower: Awarded wind power contract for Dogger Bank

The Dogger Bank zone is located off the east coast of Yorkshire between 125 and 195 kilometres offshore. It extends over approximately 8,660 km2 with its outer limit aligned to UK continental shelf limit as defined by the UK Hydrographic Office. The water depth ranges from 18-63 metres.

As the licence holder, Forewind will now begin to carry out the extensive surveys, assessments and planning required for the consent process.

The Dogger Bank zone is large and a possible development has to be carried out stepwise with several projects.

The consortium’s commitment is to secure all the necessary consents for the construction and development of Dogger Bank, up to the point of investment decisions, which is anticipated from 2014.

Forewind has agreed with The Crown Estate a target installed capacity of 9 GW, though the zone has a potential for approximately 13 GW, which equates to around 10 per cent of total UK electricity requirements.

The consortium combines international offshore wind energy project delivery and renewables generation experience with UK utility and wind power expertise.

Forewind general manager Frank-Are Steinbakk said:

"The partners in the consortium are very satisfied with the announcement of Forewind as the successful bidder for Dogger Bank. This is an exciting project that is important for all the partners’ ambitions within offshore wind. There are many technical and logistical challenges to be addressed so Forewind will need to both draw fully on the experience of each of the partners and also look for innovative suppliers and contractors to help us ensure we address all the issues and achieve consent."

"Offshore wind is a strategic pillar for Statoil’s new energy business. Our goal is to mature the projects in the Dogger Bank zone up to investment decision, hopefully making profitable and technical feasible projects for the companies. Dogger Bank is a challenging zone where our competence from the offshore oil and gas business will be of significant value," says Margareth Øvrum, executive vice president of Technology & New Energy in Statoil.

UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“Our island has one of the best wind energy resources in Europe and today’s news shows we’re creating the right conditions for the energy industry to invest in harnessing it. This is one of the strongest signals yet that the UK is locked irreversibly into a low carbon, energy secure prosperous future.”

Both Statoil and Statkraft are involved in the development of the 315 MW Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm in UK.

www.statoil.com