SSE/Equinor Dogger Bank partnership

Corporate brand

A large-scale offshore wind partnership that evolved from the Forewind consortium into the SSE Renewables–Equinor-led Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

SSE/Equinor (formerly Statoil, formerly Forewind) is best understood not as a standalone consumer brand or incorporated company, but as a shorthand for the development relationship behind Dogger Bank Wind Farm, one of the United Kingdom's largest offshore renewable-energy projects. The relationship originated in the Forewind consortium, formed in 2008 by SSE, RWE, Statoil and Statkraft to compete for development rights in the Crown Estate's third offshore-wind licensing round. Forewind was awarded the Dogger Bank Zone in January 2010. The zone covered approximately 8,660 square kilometres in the North Sea, between roughly 125 and 290 kilometres from the Yorkshire coast, and was the largest area offered in that licensing round. Forewind initially pursued a very large multi-phase development with a theoretical potential of up to approximately 9 gigawatts. As technical, planning, environmental and commercial work progressed, the proposed scale was revised downward. Four project areas were taken through the UK planning process: Dogger Bank Creyke Beck A, Dogger Bank Creyke Beck B, Dogger Bank Teesside A and Dogger Bank Teesside B. All four received planning consent in 2015. The projects were intended to exploit Dogger Bank's combination of strong North Sea wind resources, shallow waters suitable for fixed foundations and distance from shore, which reduced visual-impact concerns. The partnership structure changed materially in 2017. Statoil increased its interest in the Dogger Bank development by acquiring additional participation from Statkraft, and Statoil subsequently adopted the name Equinor in 2018. SSE and Equinor then assumed responsibility for three of the consented project areas: Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B and Teesside A. These were renamed Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C and developed as a three-phase, 3.6-gigawatt wind farm. RWE progressed Teesside B separately under the name Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. Forewind ceased to be the operating development vehicle for the three SSE–Equinor projects, although its work provided the planning and technical foundation for them. The ownership of Dogger Bank A, B and C later broadened. Eni Plenitude acquired a 20 percent interest in the phases in 2021 and 2022, and Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Plenitude and HitecVision, subsequently acquired that interest in 2022. The current ownership structure is generally described as SSE Renewables 40 percent, Equinor 40 percent and Vårgrønn 20 percent. SSE Renewables leads development and construction, while Equinor is designated to operate the wind farm during its expected operating life of approximately 35 years. The three phases use high-capacity offshore turbines and high-voltage direct-current transmission technology to move electricity to the English grid. Dogger Bank A and B connect near Cottingham in East Yorkshire, while Dogger Bank C connects in the Teesside area. The project has also involved an operations and maintenance base at the Port of Tyne and extensive participation by engineering, port, vessel, cable, foundation and turbine suppliers. It has been presented as a major contribution to British offshore-wind industrial capacity and energy security. Dogger Bank began generating electricity in October 2023 when the first installed turbine produced power. The project remains under construction and commissioning, with completion of the three phases expected in stages. A proposed additional phase, Dogger Bank D, has also been investigated by SSE and Equinor. Because the name supplied for this dossier combines former consortium and corporate identities, the entry should be treated as a historical and project-relationship record linked to Dogger Bank Wind Farm rather than as a conventional brand profile.

History

The history of the SSE/Equinor Dogger Bank relationship begins with the United Kingdom's third offshore-wind licensing round. In 2008, the Crown Estate opened a competitive process for large offshore-wind development zones. SSE, RWE, Statoil and Statkraft joined forces to create the Forewind consortium and bid for rights to develop the Dogger Bank Zone in the North Sea. The location was strategically attractive because it combined strong wind resources with relatively shallow seabed conditions, while its distance from the English coast reduced visual-impact concerns associated with offshore turbines. In January 2010, the Crown Estate awarded Forewind development rights for the Dogger Bank Zone. The zone covered about 8,660 square kilometres and was located approximately 125 to 290 kilometres offshore from Yorkshire. Forewind's early concept contemplated as much as 9 gigawatts of generation, making it one of the most ambitious offshore renewable-energy developments then proposed. Over the following years, the consortium conducted wind, seabed, environmental, archaeological, shipping, fisheries and grid studies, while consulting with coastal communities, maritime users and regulators. The development concept was progressively refined and reduced in scale as the partners evaluated construction logistics, transmission requirements, planning risk and commercial feasibility. Forewind divided the zone into several project areas. Four areas were taken forward to the UK planning system: Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B, Teesside A and Teesside B. Each was initially designed around approximately 1.2 gigawatts of potential capacity. The first two areas were associated with grid connection near Creyke Beck in East Yorkshire, while the Teesside projects were associated with a connection in the north-east of England. Planning consent was secured for the relevant projects in February and August 2015. The consents represented a major regulatory milestone and established a legal and environmental basis for subsequent construction. The consortium's ownership and project structure changed in 2017. Statoil acquired additional participation from Statkraft and increased its stake in the overall Dogger Bank development. Statoil changed its corporate name to Equinor in 2018 as part of a broader repositioning toward a wider energy portfolio. In August 2017, SSE and Statoil announced that they would progress three of the consented areas together: Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B and Teesside A. These were renamed Dogger Bank Wind Farm and divided into three phases called Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. Teesside B was separated from the SSE–Equinor project and later became Sofia Offshore Wind Farm under RWE's development. The new Dogger Bank partnership moved from planning into procurement, financing and construction. The three phases were successful in the UK's 2019 Contract for Difference allocation round. SSE Renewables took the lead in development and construction, while Equinor was designated to operate the completed wind farm. The partners selected high-capacity turbines, subsea export systems and high-voltage direct-current technology suited to the project's exceptional distance from shore. Plans also included a permanent operations and maintenance base at the Port of Tyne, supporting long-term operations and employment in north-east England. The ownership was broadened through transactions with Eni Plenitude. Eni acquired a 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A and B in 2021 and a 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank C in 2022. In October 2022, Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Plenitude and HitecVision, acquired Plenitude's interests. The resulting structure is generally described as SSE Renewables holding 40 percent, Equinor holding 40 percent and Vårgrønn holding 20 percent in each of the three phases. Construction formally began in 2022. The project has used large monopile foundations, advanced installation vessels, subsea cables, offshore converter infrastructure and GE Haliade-X turbines. It has also served as a platform for construction and fabrication innovation, including new approaches to foundation welding and an unmanned offshore HVDC substation concept. The project generated electricity for the first time in October 2023, marking the beginning of staged commissioning. When all three phases are complete, the 3.6-gigawatt wind farm is intended to provide enough electricity for millions of UK homes and become one of the world's largest offshore wind farms. SSE and Equinor have also investigated a possible fourth phase, Dogger Bank D. The proposal reflects the partners' continuing interest in expanding the zone's contribution to UK renewable generation, although the additional phase is distinct from the original three-phase project and requires separate development, consenting and commercial decisions. Accordingly, Forewind is best treated as the historic development consortium, while SSE/Equinor identifies the later partnership that carried the principal Dogger Bank Wind Farm assets toward construction and operation.

2023
First electricity generated
[7]World's largest offshore wind farm produces power for the first timeequinor.com
The first Dogger Bank turbine produced electricity, beginning staged commissioning of the wind farm.
2023
Dogger Bank D enters scoping
[8]Scoping report submitted for proposed Dogger Bank D wind farmdoggerbank.com
SSE and Equinor submitted a scoping report for a potential fourth phase known as Dogger Bank D.
2022
Construction begins
[6]Construction begins on the world's largest offshore wind farmsse.com
Construction began on the three-phase, 3.6-gigawatt Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
2022
Vårgrønn acquires the former Plenitude stake
[1]Our History - Dogger Bank Wind Farmdoggerbank.com
Vårgrønn acquired Plenitude's 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A, B and C.
2021
Eni acquires an interest in Dogger Bank A and B
[11]Eni acquires an interest in Dogger Bank A and Bsse.com
Eni acquired a 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A and B, with SSE Renewables and Equinor each retaining 40 percent.
2020
Port of Tyne selected for operations base
[10]Port of Tyne selected for operations basesse.com
SSE Renewables and Equinor announced an operations and maintenance base at the Port of Tyne.
2019
Dogger Bank A, B and C win Contracts for Difference
[1]Our History - Dogger Bank Wind Farmdoggerbank.com
All three phases secured support in the UK's third Contract for Difference allocation round.
2018
Statoil becomes Equinor
[9]Statoil becomes Equinorequinor.com
Statoil adopted the Equinor name, which became the corporate identity associated with the continuing Dogger Bank partnership.
2017
SSE and Statoil restructure the project
[4]SSE confirms commitment to offshore wind with Dogger Bank joint venturesse.com
SSE and Statoil assumed responsibility for three project areas and began progressing them as the three-phase Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
2015
Four project areas receive planning consent
[1]Our History - Dogger Bank Wind Farmdoggerbank.com
The Creyke Beck and Teesside project areas received UK planning consent during 2015.
2014
Development scale revised
[2]Forewinden.wikipedia.org
The original development concept was reduced from an early proposal of approximately 9 gigawatts as the partners refined the project's technical and commercial design.
2010
Forewind awarded the Dogger Bank Zone
[2]Forewinden.wikipedia.org
The Crown Estate selected Forewind to develop the largest zone in the third offshore-wind licensing round.
2008
Forewind consortium formed
[1]Our History - Dogger Bank Wind Farmdoggerbank.com
SSE, RWE, Statoil and Statkraft formed Forewind to bid for a development zone in the Crown Estate's third UK offshore-wind licensing round.

Products and positioning

Large-scale offshore renewable-energy development in the United Kingdom and the North Sea, represented by the transition from the Forewind consortium to the SSE Renewables–Equinor-led Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Offshore wind farm · 2017
Dogger Bank A
Dogger Bank A is the first phase of the three-phase Dogger Bank Wind Farm and was formerly known as Dogger Bank Creyke Beck A. It is designed around approximately 1.2 gigawatts of installed offshore-wind capacity and connects to the UK grid near Cottingham in East Yorkshire. The phase uses large offshore turbines, fixed foundations and high-voltage export infrastructure. It is owned by SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn and forms part of the wider project led through the SSE–Equinor development relationship.
Offshore wind farm · 2017
Dogger Bank B
Dogger Bank B is the second approximately 1.2-gigawatt phase of the wind farm and was formerly known as Dogger Bank Creyke Beck B. It shares the project's East Yorkshire grid connection strategy with Dogger Bank A and uses high-capacity offshore turbines and subsea transmission systems. The phase was included in the project's long-term offtake arrangements and is part of the ownership structure shared by SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn.
Offshore wind farm · 2017
Dogger Bank C
Dogger Bank C is the third phase of the 3.6-gigawatt project and was formerly known as Dogger Bank Teesside A. It is designed for approximately 1.2 gigawatts and connects to the grid in the Teesside area. The phase was developed after the 2017 SSE–Statoil restructuring, later continued under the SSE Renewables–Equinor relationship. It uses a newer generation of high-capacity offshore turbines and is intended to complete the original three-phase Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Proposed offshore wind farm · 2023
Dogger Bank D
Dogger Bank D is a proposed additional phase investigated by SSE and Equinor after the original three phases were established. The partners submitted a scoping report to begin the planning and environmental assessment process. Dogger Bank D is separate from the consented Dogger Bank A, B and C assets and should be treated as a development proposal rather than an operating product.
Offshore wind development platform · 2008
Forewind Dogger Bank Zone development
Forewind was the original consortium and development platform created by SSE, RWE, Statoil and Statkraft. It was responsible for bidding for the Dogger Bank Zone, conducting early-stage surveys and assessments, preparing the project areas for planning consent and supporting the transition toward the later project companies. Forewind was not itself a consumer-facing energy brand and no longer operates the SSE–Equinor Dogger Bank assets.

Marketing campaigns

2025Local economic and skills contribution programme
United Kingdom
Dogger Bank communications emphasized the project's contribution to UK gross domestic product, local employment, supply-chain spending, STEM education and community investment.
Outcome. The project continued to be positioned as a long-term industrial and regional-development asset alongside its electricity-generation role.
Source
2023Dogger Bank first-power communications campaign
United Kingdom
SSE Renewables and Equinor publicized the first generation of electricity from Dogger Bank as a milestone for British energy security, offshore-wind scale and the transition to low-carbon power.
Outcome. The first turbine generated electricity in October 2023 and the project moved into staged commissioning.
Source
2021Dogger Bank offshore-wind innovation programme
United Kingdom · North Sea
Project communications highlighted new foundation-welding techniques, high-voltage direct-current systems and other construction methods intended to improve the cost, safety and carbon performance of very large offshore wind farms.
Outcome. The project became a showcase for industrial innovation in offshore-wind construction and transmission.
Source
2020Port of Tyne operations and maintenance base
United Kingdom
SSE Renewables and Equinor promoted the Port of Tyne as the long-term operations and maintenance hub for Dogger Bank, emphasizing regional employment, supply-chain participation and the project's industrial contribution to north-east England.
Outcome. The Port of Tyne became the onshore base associated with operations and maintenance activities for the wind farm.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Begin staged commissioning after first powerProduct launch
Background
After the start of offshore construction and turbine installation, the project reached the point at which completed generating units could be energized.
Action taken
The first Dogger Bank turbine generated electricity and the project entered staged commissioning.
Aftermath
Dogger Bank shifted from a purely construction-stage development into an operating and commissioning asset while remaining incomplete.
Source
2023
Investigate a potential fourth phase, Dogger Bank DStrategy
Background
SSE and Equinor identified the possibility of expanding the Dogger Bank development beyond the original three phases.
Action taken
The partners submitted a scoping report for proposed Dogger Bank D to begin the environmental and planning assessment process.
Aftermath
Dogger Bank D entered early-stage development, separate from the consented and under-construction A, B and C phases.
Source
2022
Transfer Plenitude's Dogger Bank interest to VårgrønnM&A
Background
Plenitude's interests in the three phases were subsequently transferred to Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Plenitude and HitecVision.
Action taken
Vårgrønn acquired the 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A, B and C.
Aftermath
The current three-partner ownership structure became SSE Renewables 40 percent, Equinor 40 percent and Vårgrønn 20 percent.
Source
2021
Sell a 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A and B to EniM&A
Background
SSE and Equinor sought to broaden ownership and recycle capital while maintaining substantial interests in the project.
Action taken
Eni acquired a 20 percent interest in Dogger Bank A and B, with SSE Renewables and Equinor each retaining 40 percent.
Aftermath
The transaction introduced a new financial and industrial partner while leaving SSE Renewables and Equinor as the principal development partners.
Source
2020
Adopt long-term power purchase agreements for Dogger Bank A and BOther
Background
The first two phases required additional offtake arrangements alongside government-supported revenue mechanisms.
Action taken
Separate 15-year power purchase agreements were concluded with external offtakers and sponsor-linked counterparties.
Aftermath
The agreements strengthened the commercial framework for the first 2.4 gigawatts of the project.
Contract duration. 15 years (2020)
Source
2019
Secure Contract for Difference support for all three phasesStrategy
Background
The scale and distance from shore of Dogger Bank required a bankable revenue framework before construction could proceed.
Action taken
Dogger Bank A, B and C were successful in the UK's third Contract for Difference allocation round.
Aftermath
The awards supported the project's financing and enabled the partners to progress procurement, construction planning and long-term power sales.
Source
2017
Replace the Forewind consortium structure with a focused SSE–Statoil partnershipStrategy
Background
Following planning work on four project areas and Statoil's increased participation, the partners reassessed the ownership and delivery structure for the most advanced assets.
Action taken
SSE and Statoil took forward Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B and Teesside A as a dedicated three-phase development, later renamed Dogger Bank A, B and C. RWE progressed Teesside B separately as Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.
Aftermath
Forewind ceased to be the active delivery vehicle for the three SSE–Equinor phases, while the focused partnership advanced the project toward Contracts for Difference, financing and construction.
Source

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