The global offshore wind industry is predicted to increase from 17 to 90 GW over the next decade, with offshore wind accounting for 15% of the total wind sector by 2025. This global expansion is opening new chances for offshore wind projects, notably in the North East of England, where there is a large demand for extra power.
With the regions extensive coastline, great land and port facilities and after several recent announcements from Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Shell, the industry is already set up for an exciting future.
The biggest contract in the UK so far is set in sights of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm which is located over 130 km off the North East coast of England. When complete in 2026, it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm that will use 277 giant turbines to power six million UK homes each year. This is around 5% of the UK’s electricity demand. Just this week, the wind farm – owned by SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Eni – announced that offshore construction has started on Dogger Bank A, the first of the three 1.2 GW phases of the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
This comes on the back of the wind farm’s plans to support 11,000 pupils from 44 primary schools in Redcar and Cleveland during the construction period. The programme will enhance primary school children’s career awareness and help them understand the world of work over a three-year period by introducing them to a variety of prospering local jobs.
This week also saw Shell announce its plans to invest up to £25 billion in the UK energy system over the next ten years, with offshore wind being one of the primary areas of focus for the oil and gas giant. The company plans to pour more than 75 per cent of the total investment in the UK into low and zero-carbon products and services, including offshore wind, hydrogen and electric mobility. These investments aim to bring the UK closer to net zero emissions, ensuring supply security while also encouraging economic growth and job creation.
With the team at MGH Offshore worked in the offshore wind industry for over two decades, we have built an unrivalled reputation for providing offshore staff from small one day projects to facilitating personnel for longer assignments on larger scale developments.
We are delighted to be a part of this developing industry, and we are excited to witness the good impact that renewable energy will have around the globe that is striving towards a low-carbon, sustainable future.