UK approves Dogger Bank South and North Falls offshore wind projects.

The UK government has approved the 1-GW North Falls and 3-GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind projects located in the North Sea, both of which are owned by joint ventures of German energy company RWE AG.

The development consent orders for these significant projects were granted on Thursday after the government delayed the examination period twice. Dogger Bank South is being developed by RWE AG from Germany in partnership with UAE-based renewable energy firm Masdar. The project will feature two parts, Dogger Bank South East and West, situated approximately 100 kilometers off England's northeast coast. Once operational, it will provide enough energy to power around three million homes in the UK annually, supported by Contracts for Difference (CfD) assigned in the UK's allocation round 7 (AR7) set for early 2026.

With the permit now in place, both projects within the Dogger Bank South cluster will move forward towards a final investment decision anticipated in 2027, as confirmed by RWE. The German company initiated the plan and obtained exclusive seabed development rights for the locations in 2023, while Masdar acquired a 49% share in the project the following year.

The second approved project, North Falls, is a 50/50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and RWE Offshore Wind. Located 40 kilometers from the East Anglia coast, this plant, which could feature up to 57 turbines, will expand upon the existing 504-MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm.

With phased construction slated to commence in 2027, North Falls is expected to be operational by 2030.