Dogger Bank Wind Farm has opened applications for its 2026 round of Operator Fund community grants, inviting projects from South Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Each year, £80,000 is allocated to the fund, with individual grants of up to £1,000 available to support grassroots initiatives that enhance the quality of life for local residents and strengthen community spirit.
The funding decisions are overseen by a panel of experts from joint venture partners Equinor and SSE Renewables, alongside independent representatives from NOF, the North East offshore wind cluster development organisation, Energi Coast. The Operator Fund is part of Dogger Bank’s broader £25 million community fund, which also focuses on advancing STEM education and developing skills for a net-zero future.
Previous recipients of the Operator Fund have demonstrated the impact of these grants on local communities. Neurokey in Redcar and Cleveland used funding to support neurodiverse young people and improve access to SEND services in schools. The Walkington Ukulele Festival in the East Riding of Yorkshire leveraged the grant to engage over 200 participants, establish a school ukulele group, and secure new instruments for community music education. In South Tyneside, Bilton Hall Amateur Boxing Club purchased high-quality boxing gloves, making the sport more accessible and safer for young members.
Local organisations with formal constitutions are eligible to apply for grants that support projects near the wind farm’s grid connections and operations base. Eligible projects include those that enhance community well-being, encourage participation, and foster sustainable, vibrant communities.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, located over 130km off the Yorkshire coast, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn. When fully operational, it will generate enough renewable energy to power around six million UK homes. SSE Renewables leads construction and delivery, while Equinor will operate the wind farm, with Vårgrønn providing specialist offshore wind expertise.
