South Tyneside students shown inner workings of world's largest off-shore wind farm

Students from South Tyneside and beyond have enjoyed a day of insight into the operations of a landmark offshore power project which has supercharged their learning.

They gathered at the Port of Tyne, at Tyne Dock, to learn fine details about the hi-tech Dogger Bank Wind Farm renewables scheme.

Its foundations are being built deep in the North Sea, about 80 miles off the north and east and Yorkshire coasts, in a multi-million-pound development.

‘Enough electricity to power 6m homes’

When finished, it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm and generate enough renewable electricity to power six million UK homes.

But it is on dry land that the learners, who are also from the East Riding of Yorkshire and Redcar and Cleveland, have been benefiting most from the initiative.

Last year, each was awarded £5,000 to help fund their higher-level studies in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) programmes.

To gain added insight, they attended Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base at the Port.

The 2026 Dogger Bank Scholarship Day saw them enjoy tours, discussions and first-hand insight into the offshore wind industry.

It was designed to recognise their classroom achievements and to offer a practical understanding of the sector.

The day also highlighted the role education plays in supporting the future STEM workforce.

During the visit, they toured the purpose-built O&M base that will play a critical role in operating Dogger Bank.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm has further committed to investing another £26m directly in local communities for STEM education, and to support vital grassroots initiatives.

Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said the visit had helped to bring the students' learning to life.

She also said it had offered a connection between their academic learning and real‑world energy production.

‘It’s been a pleasure’

And Kay added: “It’s been a pleasure to host the Scholarship Celebration Day for the second year and welcome our scholars to the Dogger Bank O&M base.

“This day is about more than celebrating achievements, it’s about empowering students and recognising their potential. Each of our scholarship recipients represents the future of the UK’s STEM sectors, and it’s inspiring to see the impact they are already beginning to make.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in three phases and will connect to the National Grid in the East Riding of Yorkshire and in Teesside.

The operations and maintenance base for the wind farm is at the Port of Tyne and will be used throughout its 35-year operational lifespan.

The wind farm is a joint venture between Equinor, SSE Renewables, and Vårgrønn.

SSE Renewables is leading the development and construction of the wind farm.

Equinor will operate it on completion, and Vårgrønn brings offshore wind expertise to the project.

The scholarship is expected to continue as an annual programme, providing 30 further education scholarships each year.