Dogger Bank Wind Farm launches next round of scholarship programme

Bosses behind the world’s largest offshore wind farm have reopened a financial scheme to find the next generation of clean energy workers.

Officials at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm are rolling out the next instalment of its scholarship programme across South Tyneside and Redcar and Cleveland.

Learners receive £5000 to support the cost of further education across science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses.

Nearly 40 scholarships are available in the latest round.

They follow more than 60 that have already awarded, with students now embarking on courses including flood management and cyber security, as well as medical and environmental degrees.

South Tyneside has been chosen as it will provide the base for an operation and maintenance site, with Redcar and Cleveland selected for its position as a location where the windfarm will connect to the National Grid.

Lindsay Dougan, Dogger Bank Wind Farm community investment manager, said: “We are building the world’s largest offshore windfarm and are proud it is helping improve STEM attainment in local communities.”

Joshua Moore, 19, from South Shields, is studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester, having previously attended Harton Sixth Form College.

He said: “This scholarship helps give me some peace of mind when it comes to repaying my student loans, allowing me to focus wholly on my studies.”

Ethan Young, 21, from Redcar, is studying Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University.

The former Middlesbrough College apprentice said: “Teesside is rich in engineering history, and it is something I have always been interested in.

“The financial support provided by the wind farm is really immense as it allows you to fully focus your time on your studies, rather than have the burden of financial worries associated with university.”

A joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni Plenitude, officials say Dogger Bank Wind Farm will sit around 80 miles off the North East coast and produce renewable energy for six million UK homes.