Equinor, operator of the Dudgeon and Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farms off the Norfolk coast, has announced that it will combine operations for both wind farms into one hub in Great Yarmouth.

The two projects are currently operated from separate bases in Egmere and Great Yarmouth, respectively. The new structure will mean that both sites will be operated from one base in Great Yarmouth which, according to Equinor, will capture synergies from a combined control room, office and warehouse. The sites will also move to a single, upgraded communication system.

Teams from both sites will share the existing Service Operations Vessel currently used by Dudgeon in an effort to maximise time in the field and reducing emissions from the overall operations. The new set up will be in place by end-September 2021.

Trine Ingebjørg Ulla, Head of Operations for Equinor’s UK wind farms, said: 
“Both wind farms are performing extremely well within the current set up, but as we position ourselves for future growth we have a responsibility to both the UK consumer and to our shareholders to regularly assess our operations, and make sure we continue to operate our assets efficiently.

“With the new operating model, we will have greater access to our turbines offshore by reducing the impact of both weather and tidal restrictions. By bringing together the currently independent Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon operations, we will also benefit from operational synergies from common communication systems, standardised operating procedures and combined emergency response provisions.”

The Dudgeon wind farm is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Company, whilst Sheringham Shoal is owned by Equinor, Equitix Offshore 5 (co-owned by Equitix and the Renewable Investment Group TRIG) and a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management). Equinor is the operator of both wind farms and has been functioning out of Norfolk for close to a decade.

The offshore wind major is also planning to extend its Dudgeon and Sheringham Shoal wind farms, doubling (719 MW) the offshore wind capacity off the coast of Norfolk.

Trine continued: 
“As well as our existing long-term operations, we are planning to grow our renewable business here, and so we will continue to be part of the community for decades to come. We are a leading employer in the area and our two community funds have donated over a million pounds to local projects across Norfolk over the last ten years, including supporting local campaigns to help people through challenges presented by COVID.”