WE and Masdar have reached a crucial milestone in the development of the Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farms.
The Development Consent Order (DCO) application has been officially accepted for review by the UK Planning Inspectorate.
Massive Renewable Energy Capacity
Situated over 100 km off the northeast coast of England in the shallow waters of Dogger Bank, the DBS East and DBS West projects have the potential to generate enough clean electricity to power up to 3 million UK homes. Acceptance of the DCO application propels these projects into the pre-examination phase, followed by a public examination later in 2024.
The two wind farms, boasting up to 200 turbines and a combined estimated capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW), represent a substantial investment. RWE and Masdar anticipate their investment will contribute nearly £1 billion to the UK economy, with £400 million directed towards the Humber region.
Partners Celebrate Achievement
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, expressed enthusiasm for this significant step, emphasizing the partnership with Masdar as a symbol of their shared dedication to advancing the UK’s renewable energy goals.
He views the acceptance of the DCO application as a testament to the teams’ hard work and dedication.
Masdar’s Vision for Sustainable Energy
Husain Al Meer, Director of Global Offshore Wind at Masdar, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the company’s commitment to developing clean and affordable energy that supports national energy transitions and economic growth.
He emphasized that the DBS offshore wind farms are a testament to Masdar’s dedication to building a sustainable energy future.
Collaborative Development and Operation
RWE will spearhead the development, construction, and operation of the projects on behalf of both partners, with RWE holding a 51% share and Masdar owning 49%.
This collaboration originated with Agreements for Lease secured by RWE from The Crown Estate in January 2023 and solidified with Masdar’s acquisition of its stake in December 2023.
Looking Ahead
The next critical steps for these projects, pending a successful DCO, involve securing Contracts for Difference (CfD), followed by securing financing and commencing construction.