The Dogger Bank Wind Farm developers have unveiled the blueprint for the multi-million pound Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Base, which will support the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
The base will be built in the Port of Tyne, pending planning consent. It will act as the primary control center for the wind farm, which, when completed, will be capable of meeting about 5% of the UK’s energy demand.
The wind farm will be built by SSE Renewables, and it will be operated by Equinor for up to 35 years, generating over 200 direct jobs in the North East of England.
Some roles, such as planners, mechanics, and managers, will be focused onshore, while others, such as wind turbine technicians, will be based offshore at the wind farm itself, living for two weeks at a time on a vessel more than 130 kilometers out to sea. The primary recruiting operation is scheduled to begin in 2022.
Equinor designed the O&M Base in collaboration with multinational design firm Ryder Architecture, based in Newcastle, to be constructed with environmentally sustainable materials. To ensure the facility has a low carbon footprint, EV chargers, solar panels, and reliable heating systems have been installed.
The scheme features a modern quay suitable for the Service Operations Vessels (SOVs) that provide housing and transport for technicians to and from the wind farm, as well as offices for those working onshore and a facility to store spare parts for the wind farm. The ships will visit the port about twice a month for resupply and crew changes.
“The scheme features a modern quay suitable for the Service Operations Vessels (SOVs) that provide housing and transport for technicians to and from the wind farm, as well as offices for those working onshore and a facility to store spare parts for the wind farm. The ships will visit the port about twice a month for resupply and crew changes.
“The scheme features a modern quay suitable for the Service Operations Vessels (SOVs) that provide housing and transport for technicians to and from the wind farm, as well as offices for those working onshore and a facility to store spare parts for the wind farm. The ships will visit the port about twice a month for resupply and crew changes.
“We specifically chose a local firm, Ryder, to work closely with in designing this flagship facility, and have ensured it is both environmentally sustainable and future-fit in order to attract the best local talents to join our team. We share the final designs with pride and can’t wait to get started!”
Halfdan Brustad, vice president for Dogger Bank at Equinor.
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.
