SSE Renewables' flagship Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be "at the heart of boosting" UK energy security, according to the Government's Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Graham Stuart, MP, made the statement as he officially opened the South Tyneside operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the site.

Dogger Bank will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world. Located 130km off east coast of the UK, it's mammoth turbines will generate 3.6 GW of energy – enough to power six million homes.

Mr Stuart – who was joined by around 150 employees and guests at the opening ceremony at the Port of Tyne site – said: "The UK already boasts the four largest offshore wind farms in the world and I am delighted that Dogger Bank will overtake all of them in three years' time. Having already delivered on green jobs and growth, Dogger Bank will be at the heart of boosting energy security for Britain and meeting the Energy Security Secretary's ambition to have among the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe."

SSE Renewables, as part of SSE plc, is the lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

The O&M base will serve as the operations hub and will also house the control room that will monitor and manage 5% of the UK's electricity generating capacity, which is produced by the offshore wind farm.

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Over 400 long-term roles have been created locally to support operations and maintenance of the wind farm, based out of the Port of Tyne facility. In total, over 2,000 UK jobs have been created or supported through the project.

Oliver Cass, Dogger Bank Project Director at SSE Renewables, said: "Today is an important day for everyone involved in our ground-breaking project as we move closer to delivering first power in the summer. Building a wind farm on this scale requires huge talent and dedication. I'd like to pay tribute to everyone who's played their part in our journey so far, including the thousands of skilled UK employees who are truly world-class."

Pål Eitrheim, EVP Renewables at Equinor, said: "We're proud to be delivering Dogger Bank Wind Farm with our partners SSE Renewables and Vårgrønn. We look forward to operating this major power generation asset for the next 35 years from the state-of-the art O&M base at the Port of Tyne. At Equinor, we always aim to bring economic value to the local community hosting our offshore wind project. This base is a shining example of the long-term, positive contribution that offshore wind will continue to bring to the North East of England."

Councillor Pat Hay, Mayor of South Tyneside, said: "This is a milestone moment and I am delighted to be here to officially open this facility. South Tyneside is honoured to be at the heart of this project, whose benefits to our community, now and in the future, can't be underestimated. Dogger Bank places us at the forefront of the UK's offshore renewables industry and represents our commitment to growth, innovation and sustainability. Along with our private sector partners, we can build a cleaner, greener future and ensure our residents can capitalise from the opportunities this world-class facility is creating right on our doorstep."

The Port of Tyne O&M base building was designed by Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture and has been constructed and will be operated in line with the UK Green Building Council's (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework. Bowmer + Kirkland built the base with a focus on local construction, with over £7.5 million spent with construction companies in Northeast England.

The wind farm is being built in three 1.2 GW phases, named Dogger Bank A, B and C and is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).