The Port of Tyne has signed an option agreement with the developers of the 3200MW Dogger Bank complex to build an onshore operations and maintenance facility for the giant project in the UK North Sea.
Under the terms of the option agreement contract, SSE Renewables and Equinor will retain full rights to develop its O&M base for a set period, although initial works are expected to commence in early 2021.
Port of Tyne said it is currently approving construction bids to complete its landlords works, involving the construction of a new access road, improved drainage facilities, enabling works for electricity infrastructure and a quay upgrade.
The port will be completing these initial works by July 2021, ready for the full building phase to commence by the third quarter of 2021.
The construction works, including the new portside facility, will be ready for its offshore service operational vessels when the wind farm operations are scheduled to begin during 2023, the Port added.
Vice president for Dogger Bank at Equinor Halfdan Brustad said, “This marks the start of a very exciting journey, both for us, our partners and the Port of Tyne, in preparing the home for the world’s biggest offshore wind farm.
“As the first tenant in the Port’s Tyne Clean Energy Park, we are pleased to contribute towards the Port’s net zero ambition, and we hope that basing such significant infrastructure here will attract investment and catalyse green economic growth in the area.”