Twenty five students from coastal communities in the north and north-east of England are being supported to fulfil their potential thanks to a scholarship of £5,000 each from Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The Scholarship Fund provides grants to local students undertaking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses in further education.
The grants provided this month are the first round of the Scholarship Fund with a total of 62 scholarships being awarded during the construction of the wind farm.
The students are undertaking a wide range of STEM courses from diverse subjects such as flood management and cyber security.
The role of the NHS during the pandemic has clearly inspired young people with six scholars undertaking medical related degrees.
There is also clearly a focus on the climate emergency with five students undertaking degrees which can help prepare for a Net Zero future.
Joshua Moore (19), from South Shields is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester. Joshua previously studied at Harton Sixth Form College. He said:
This scholarship has helped me with my studies as it helps give me some peace of mind when it comes to repaying my student loans, allowing me to focus wholly on my studies.
Ruby Franklin (19), from Swanland in East Riding of Yorkshire is studying Engineering at the University of Sheffield. Ruby, a former South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College student, said:
This scholarship has helped me with financial concerns so that I can focus fully on my studies whilst also inspiring me about renewable energy in my local area.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be located more than 130 km off the Yorkshire coast and will generate enough renewable energy to power six million UK homes. A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni, SSE Renewables is leading on Dogger Bank construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion.
In June Dogger Bank Wind Farm unveiled plans for a £1 million construction fund to support the coastal communities where its onshore infrastructure is being developed. The programme includes a significant investment in science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as an operators fund to support local causes. Further information is available here.
Lindsay Dougan, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“The quality of scholarship applications from students were very high and shows the excellent subjects being studied by local people. We are proud to help 25 young people take steps into further education and to support the workforce of the future as we continue our work to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
