Reading Time: 2 minutes
RWE and Masdar have reached a significant milestone for the Dogger Bank South (DBS) Offshore Wind Farms with the acceptance of their Development Consent Order (DCO) application into the UK Planning Inspectorate examination phase.
The DBS East and DBS West offshore wind farms, capable of supplying electricity to up to three million typical UK homes, are situated in the shallow waters of Dogger Bank, over 100km off the northeast coast of England. The acceptance of the DCO application transitions the projects into the pre-examination phase, with a public examination set for later in 2024.
These projects, featuring up to 200 turbines, are expected to generate a combined capacity of three gigawatts. RWE and Masdar’s investment during the development and construction phases is anticipated to contribute almost £1 billion to the UK economy, including £400 million specifically for the Humber region.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, expressed excitement about this pivotal milestone, highlighting the partnership with Masdar and the shared commitment to advancing the UK’s renewable energy goals. Utermöhlen acknowledged the hard work of their teams and looked forward to progressing through the next phases.
Husain Al Meer, Director of Global Offshore Wind at Masdar, also celebrated this significant step in advancing offshore wind capacity in the UK. He emphasized Masdar’s commitment to clean, affordable energy and the economic growth and job creation it fosters. Al Meer underscored the DBS Offshore Wind Farms as a testament to Masdar’s dedication to building an equitable energy system.
RWE will lead the development, construction, and operation of the projects, holding a 51% share, while Masdar owns 49%. The Crown Estate entered into Agreements for Lease for the DBS projects with RWE in January 2023, and Masdar acquired its stake in December 2023, finalizing the shareholding agreement in February 2024.
The DBS projects are poised to make a significant economic impact, support the UK’s net zero ambitions, and enhance energy security. Following a successful Development Consent Order, the next steps include securing Contracts for Difference (CfD), followed by financing and construction.
