- The Crown Estate’s Capacity Increase Programme unlocks potential additional capacity from Dogger Bank D and North Falls
SSE has welcomed 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 decision, which has been agreed by the UK Secretary of State for Energy & Net Zero, allows for potential capacity increases at seven fixed-bottom offshore windfarms located around England and Wales. These include two SSE joint venture offshore wind projects currently being developed off the east coast of England – Dogger Bank D (SSE share 50%) and North Falls (SSE share 50%).
The Crown Estate’s Capacity Increase Programme was first announced in November 2023. The programme allows for existing seabed lease agreements of projects 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.
At Dogger Bank, the decision allows 50:50 joint venture developers SSE and Equinor to maximise the capacity of the eastern portion of the Dogger Bank C seabed lease area to unlock potential capacity of up to 2GW of renewable energy at the new Dogger Bank D project, a proposed fourth phase of the in-construction 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
At North Falls, a 50:50 joint venture between SSE and RWE, a potential capacity increase to up to 900MW would be facilitated within the existing project and would not require an increase in the number of proposed wind turbine generators at the offshore site.
The delivery of both the Dogger Bank D and North Falls projects are subject to each securing Development Consent Orders as well as final investment decisions.
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. By securing increased potential capacity at our Dogger Bank D and North Falls joint venture projects we can help ensure each project, if approved for delivery, can play a vital contribution towards the UK’s clean power targets from offshore wind.
“Working with our joint venture partners, we now look forward to engaging closely with The Crown Estate on the next steps to agree the progression of both Dogger Bank D and North Falls, while also progressing each project to secure Development Consent Orders.”
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.