SSE Renewables and Equinor are carrying out geophysical surveys for a fourth phase of the Dogger Bank complex in the UK North Sea.
Site investigations for the 1320MW Gatroben wind farm, which was revealed in issue 484 of the subscriber-only reNEWS publication, are being carried out by the Guard Celina vessel and consist of the use of a towed side scan sonar and magnetometer.
The survey is expected to wrap up by November 30, with continuous works taking place 24 hours a day.
A spokesperson for Dogger Bank said: “SSE Renewables and Equinor are currently assessing seabed for the potential of expanding Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is currently under construction, with an additional phase, Dogger Bank D.
“The potential project is supported by a grid connection for up to 1320MW.”
Plans for Gatroben were unveiled in July following the publication of National Grid’s Holistic Network Design review, which recommended a co-ordinated grid link for the proposed wind farm.
The project has secured a 1320MW grid connection which will come into effect from October 2031.
However, it does not currently have any a lease agreement with the Crown Estate.
it is proposed to connect to one of RWE’s two 1.5GW Dogger Bank South Round 4 wind farms via 85km of AC cabling.
Power from these two sites would then be supplied to the grid via two separate tie-in locations at the Creyke Beck substation near Hull and the proposed Lincolnshire Node substation near Skegness.