United Kingdom – The design for the Dogger Bank wind farm Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Base at Port of Tyne has been unveiled.
Subject to planning approval, the base will be constructed in the Port of Tyne and will serve as the main hub for operating the wind farm. When complete Dogger Bank will be capable of providing around 5% of the UK’s electricity demand.
Dogger Bank wind farm creates jobs
SSE Renewables is leading on construction of the wind farm and Equinor will operate the wind farm for its lifetime of up to 35 years, creating over 200 direct jobs in the North East of England.
Some roles will be based onshore, such as planners, engineers and management, whilst other roles such as wind turbine technicians will be based offshore at the wind farm itself, living for two weeks at a time on a vessel over 130km out to sea. The main recruitment activity is expected from 2022.
Environmentally friendly base
Working with design practice Ryder Architecture Equinor has designed the O&M Base to be built using environmentally friendly materials. EV chargers, solar panels and efficient heating systems have been included to ensure the facility has a low carbon impact.
As well as offices for those based onshore and a warehouse to store spare parts for the wind farm, the design includes development of a new quay suitable for the Service Operations Vessels (SOVs) that provide accommodation, and transport for technicians to and from the wind farm. The vessels will come to the port approximately twice a month for resupply and crew change.
The plans for the O&M facility have been submitted to South Tyneside Council for a planning application. The construction contractor will be appointed in the coming months.
