Dogger Bank Wind Farm is pumping £25 million into coastal communities in North and North-East England, aiming to create a lasting legacy for this world-class renewable energy project.
This funding targets East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland, and South Tyneside, focusing on boosting STEM education and equipping young people with the skills needed for a net-zero future. Delivered over the wind farm’s 35-year lifespan, this investment builds on a £1 million community fund initiated during the construction phase.
In East Riding, a tailored STEM program was developed with local education stakeholders. All nursery and primary schools will access bespoke STEM learning programs, benefiting hundreds of teachers through professional development focused on STEM and careers.
Hornsea Nursery, among the early beneficiaries, exemplifies the impact. Executive headteacher Claire White highlights how early STEM exposure can ignite a lifelong passion for science and engineering.
Unveiled during Wind Energy Week 2024, this initiative marks one of the UK’s largest community investments in offshore wind. Merlin Joseph, Executive Director of Children’s Services in East Riding, underscores the importance of connecting school learning with future job opportunities, fostering sustainability and innovation in young minds.
The investment also expands the wind farm’s scholarship program, offering 30 annual scholarships to local university students in STEM fields, and continues to support community projects with grants up to £1,000. Local organizations can apply through the Dogger Bank website.
Oliver Cass, Dogger Bank Project Director, emphasizes the critical role of developer-community partnerships in delivering sustainable green energy infrastructure.
Situated 130 km off the Yorkshire coast, Dogger Bank will power six million UK homes annually. This joint venture by SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn began generating power in October 2023, with phases transmitting energy via Creyke Beck substation near Beverley. The project has already supported over 2,000 UK jobs, contributing to the national goal of 50 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030.
The community fund will continue focusing on East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar & Cleveland, and South Tyneside over the next three years. Once fully operational in 2026, it will prioritize ongoing investment in South Tyneside, the base for wind farm operations and maintenance.
For more on Dogger Bank scholarships, community grants, and impact reports, visit: