Latest News

The Crown Estate to proceed with its Capacity Increase Programme to maximise the potential of existing offshore wind lease areas in the UK.

• The Crown Estate Capacity Increase Programme will unlock 4.7GW of additional UK capacity including up to 2GW from Dogger Bank D
• Dogger Bank D is the proposed fourth phase to increase the size of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm
• Project development maximises capacity from the eastern part of the Dogger Bank C seabed lease area to make the world’s biggest offshore wind farm even bigger
• SSE and Equinor each own 50% of the proposed Dogger Bank D development

SSE and Equinor, developers of the proposed Dogger Bank D offshore wind farm, welcome the decision by The Crown Estate to proceed with its Capacity Increase Programme to maximise the potential of existing offshore wind lease areas in the UK.

---

The Crown Estate’s Capacity Increase Programme was first announced by in November 2023. The programme allows for the existing seabed rights agreements of seven fixed-bottom offshore windfarms located around England and Wales to be amended, subject to agreement of terms with The Crown Estate, to unlock 4.7GW of increased available capacity for new green electricity production.

These include the existing seabed lease area agreement for Dogger Bank C, the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. By amending this lease in agreement with The Crown Estate, SSE and Equinor can maximise the capacity of the eastern portion of the Dogger Bank C seabed lease area to unlock potential capacity of up to 2GW of new renewable energy at what would be Dogger Bank D, for the UK energy system.

Paul Cooley, Director of Offshore Wind, SSE Renewables said:

“This decision marks a further milestone in the progression of SSE’s offshore wind pipeline off the coast of England in the UK North Sea. The addition of Dogger Bank D would make our existing 3.6GW Dogger Bank project, the world’s biggest offshore wind farm currently being built off the UK, even bigger.

“Working with our joint venture partner, we now look forward to engaging closely with The Crown Estate on the next steps to agree the progression of Dogger Bank D, while also progressing the project to secure a new Development Consent Order. If delivered Dogger Bank D can play a vital contribution towards the UK’s clean power targets from offshore wind.”

Melissa Read, Head of Regional Development UK, Equinor said:

“This innovative approach allows us to unlock further value and volume from the Dogger Bank seabed, whilst protecting the marine environment.

“Dogger Bank D would allow for more renewable energy, which is key to meet the UK Government’s offshore wind and net zero ambitions and further progress the UK’s energy transition.”

The decision to proceed with the Capacity Increase Programme follows the conclusion of a plan-Level Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) by The Crown Estate to assess the effects of the capacity increase on protected habitats. Under the decision the capacity increase will proceed based on a derogation, with compensation measures to address identified impacts on marine habitats and species.

---

The proposed Dogger Bank D project was first announced in 2023. In July 2024, SSE and Equinor established commercial terms with The Crown Estate around an amendment to the existing Dogger Bank C seabed lease, subject to the outcome of the plan-Level HRA.

The Dogger Bank D project would connect to the national electricity infrastructure network at National Grid’s planned new 400kV substation at Birkhill Wood in East Riding of Yorkshire.

A non-statutory community consultation on the project took place in autumn 2024, with a statutory consultation due to take place in summer 2025.

The delivery of Dogger Bank D is subject to a new Development Consent Order as well as a final investment decision by the 50:50 joint venture partners SSE Renewables and Equinor.

The existing 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). The project was awarded rights in The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 3 and is currently under construction in three 1.2GW phases: A, B and C.

Return to blog