UP to 180 new jobs are to be created in the Highlands to support the delivery of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, SSE Renewables has said.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a £9 billion joint venture between SSE (40%), Equinor (40%), and Vårgrønn (20%) being built 80 miles off England’s north east coast. The project is being delivered across three equal-sized 1.2 GW phases. Turbine installation is ongoing at Dogger Bank B following the completion of the phase A turbine campaign earlier this year. Offshore installation works at Dogger Bank C will begin next year.
The highly skilled roles will be based at Maraen Port of Nigg near Inverness, which has been selected as the marshalling harbour, where turbine components will be prepared before transport offshore for the Dogger Bank B and C phases.
The positions include project managers, port operators, and mechanical and electrical technicians involved in turbine pre-assembly works. Recruitment has been underway in recent months, with the roles expected to support project activity through to the expected completion of Dogger Bank Wind Farm in mid-2028.
Scottish Government energy minister Stephen Gethins said, “Scotland’s ports are exceptionally well placed to support the energy transition and the growth of offshore wind. Maraen Port of Nigg is a key example – boosting regional economic opportunity and supporting supply chain businesses. I am delighted to have the chance to meet some of the workers who are helping to make these projects a reality. These roles highlight the huge opportunities for people and the economy from realising the potential of our offshore wind pipeline.”
Perth-headquartered SSE is leading construction of the project, which comprises 277 offshore wind turbines installed by GE Vernova across all three Dogger Bank project phases.
The new positions will oversee pre-assembly of GE Vernova’s giant 13MW and 14MW Haliade X offshore wind turbine components destined for Dogger Bank. The components will be prepared on-site at the port before being loaded onto vessels for transport and installation offshore at the Dogger Bank B and C sites.
Once operational, Dogger Bank will be capable of producing 6% of the UK’s current electricity demand.
Steve Wilson, offshore wind director at SSE Renewables, said, “The creation of up to 180 new jobs at Maraen Port of Nigg demonstrates how Dogger Bank Wind Farm continues to deliver real economic benefits for Scotland and the wider UK. Nigg’s world-class facilities and highly skilled workforce will play an important role in delivering turbine installation activities for Dogger Bank B and C, helping to strengthen the UK offshore wind supply chain and create lasting opportunities for businesses and workers.”
Yoshihiro Hayakawa, CEO and MD at Maraen, added, “We are pleased to welcome the energy minister to Maraen Port of Nigg and to confirm that up to 180 skilled roles are being created at our port across Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. Building on our previous experience supporting SSE’s Beatrice and Seagreen offshore wind farms, this work reflects the infrastructure, capabilities and experienced teams we have developed at Nigg to support large-scale offshore wind projects safely and efficiently.”
