Community projects near Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s construction and operation bases can now apply for the latest round of funding from the Dogger Bank operator fund to support their activities.
The operator fund supports local community projects in South Tyneside and East Riding of Yorkshire, Redcar – the locations of the wind farm’s grid connection points and the operations and maintenance base.
The operator fund provides a total of £75,000 of funding in grants of up to £1,000 for local community projects who have a constitution and deliver activities in Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside or East Riding of Yorkshire.
Community grants can be used to enhance quality of life for local residents; contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; and/or promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Eligible community projects and local organisations can apply for grants up to the new amount of up to £1000, at https://doggerbank.com/about/community/.
The funding decisions are made by a panel with representatives from wind farm joint venture partners Equinor and SSE Renewables, as well as independent participant Hannah Smiles from NOF. NOF is a not-for-profit business development organisation helping to make connections between national businesses in the energy sector. owns and operates Energi Coast, North East England’s Offshore Wind Cluster.
Kay Doragh, Dogger Bank Wind Farm Community Investment manager said:
“At Dogger Bank Wind Farm, we’re committed to supporting local communities and the fantastic ideas they have to improve life in their area. We’ve funded projects to help young people into employment to solar lights to make village events safer and more welcoming. I can’t wait to see the projects we’ll be supporting in 2025.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is under construction more than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes once completed. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June 2024, Dogger Bank Wind Farm announced additional funding of £25 million to support coastal communities across the North and North East of England, over its planned 35-year operational lifespan.
Dogger Bank will use this funding to support local communities through three key programmes: STEM education and careers programmes, the Dogger Bank scholarship programme, and community grants via the operators fund.
The new community fund builds on the £1 million community fund set up during the construction phase of Dogger Bank, which has already supported more than 36,000 young people across 204 schools, provided 62 university scholarships, and provided 87 grants to local community groups.
Find out more about this £25 million commitment from Dogger Bank Wind Farm here.
