SSE and Equinor scope huge next phase of world's largest offshore wind farm Dogger Bank

SSE and Equinor have submitted a scoping report as they continue their plans for an up to 2GW expansion of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The proposed Dogger Bank D project was unveiled last year by developer partners SSE and Equinor, who are targeting a major expansion of the 3.6GW already being built at the giant UK North Sea wind farm.

Their scoping report follows confirmation in March that Dogger Bank D would connect into a proposed new 400kV substation located in Yorkshire.

Rob Cussons, Project Director for Dogger Bank D at SSE, said the report is an “important milestone for Dogger Bank D and is a key part of the development of an offshore wind farm.”

“The report lays out the scope of the project proposals and identifies key environmental factors. We look forward to receiving a Scoping Opinion from the Planning Inspectorate and input from consultees which will help inform our development proposals.”

Dogger Bank D is working closely with The Crown Estate, who manage the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland to agree on the expansion project.

SSE and Equinor recently scrapped plans to power green hydrogen production from Dogger Bank D after they decided to focus solely on feeding electricity grids.

That came after the project secured its Yorkshire grid connection, while the partners are also exploring the possibility of a hybrid interconnection with a European electricity market.

The first three Dogger Bank phases will when fully built-out at a cost of some £11bn ($14bn) supply enough power for six million UK homes, making the project a new benchmark in the ambition of the global offshore wind sector.