Innovative approach enables Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extension Projects to progress as a joint development
Development consent was granted earlier this year to extend the operational Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms off the coast of Norfolk.
Photo: Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Credit: Equinor
Partners have agreed to bring the two projects under a joint ownership structure in one legal entity, subject to regulatory approvals being obtained before closing. The projects are extensions to the operational Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farms, which currently power around 710,000 UK homes.
The Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farm Extension Projects will be developed as a single project. By aligning the partnership to merge two joint ventures, a simplified and collaborative model will help unlock further opportunities whilst simultaneously derisking development for both generation and transmission.
Development consent approval for both projects was obtained in April 2024 which was the first time in the UK that two offshore wind projects under separate ownership were awarded consent under a shared application. The consent allowed for single, joint or sequential development options. The new ownership structure enables a cost-effective joint development of the two projects whilst minimising environmental and local impact in Norfolk, contributing positively to the UK’s ambition of delivering clean power by 2030.
Together with the operational Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms, the Extension Project in Norfolk aims to power nearly 1.5 million UK homes and generate over £370 million in direct gross value added (GVA) to the East Anglia and UK economy.
The Dudgeon Extension Project is owned 35% by Equinor, 35% by Masdar and 30% by China Resources Power, whilst Sheringham Shoal Extension Project is currently 100% owned by Equinor, with Equitix Offshore 3 Limited (co-owned by funds managed by Equitix and The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG)) and Macquarie Asset Management (via Macquarie GIG Renewable Energy Fund 1) having options to acquire a total of 60% interests at Final Investment Decision (FID).
Commenting on the announcement, Halfdan Brustad, Equinor’s Vice President UK Renewables said:
“Drawing on our experience of oil and gas unitisation, we have applied key learnings to make this project more competitive, ensuring economic efficiencies and cost savings. By developing one project instead of two, we can unlock additional value from volume at scale, whilst sharing joint infrastructure, maximising local benefits and minimising disruption.”
Husain Al Meer, Masdar”s Director of Global Offshore Wind and UK Operations, said:
“The establishment of this Joint Venture will streamline operational efficiencies, and in doing so, accelerate the development of additional offshore wind capacity for the British economy – a crucial contribution to meeting the UK”s ambitious clean energy targets, and enhancing energy affordability, resilience, and security. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders and partners through the next stages of the project.”
A spokesperson for the option holders, Equitix, TRIG and Macquarie Asset Management said:
“We support this innovative merger of the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon extension projects; it is an important development that will support the UK’s transition to net zero, as well as delivering more competitive energy prices and greater energy security.”
Project partners will continue to mature the development toward FID.
About Equinor in Norfolk
Equinor is a long-term partner for Norfolk and has been an active member of the community for over a decade through the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms it operates off the Norfolk coast.
The Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources Consortium, whilst Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, a subsidiary of Equitix Offshore 3 Limited (co-owned by funds managed by Equitix and The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG)) and Macquarie Asset Management (via Macquarie GIG Renewable Energy Fund 1)
On behalf of its partners, Equinor is maturing the proposed Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extension projects. Following unitisation of the two, the Extensions project will double the capacity of the existing Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms, providing renewable energy to power an additional 785,000 UK homes and making an important contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
Currently, the combined output of Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms is sufficient to power around 710,000 UK homes, and the proposed extensions will increase that to nearly 1.5 million UK households.
Both wind farms have established community funds which in total have awarded over £1.65 million to projects in Norfolk. The funds were set up to provide grants to Norfolk community groups, including schools and charities, seeking financial assistance for projects or initiatives that meet key criteria and focus on renewable energy, marine environment and safety, sustainability, or education in these areas. During 2020, the funds provided grant funding to the Norfolk Community Foundation’s COVID-19 funding initiatives, and during 2021 grant funding has been made available to support Norfolk’s ‘every child on-line’ initiative.