Major wind farm schemes boosted by work of Ruthin firm

Ruthin-headquartered Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK was appointed to prepare a site for the construction of the onshore converter station platforms for both Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and Dogger Bank C, the third phase of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, situated near Redcar, Teesside. 

Works carried out by Jones Bros included providing load bearing working platforms for the converter stations, two new road access points, welfare and storage areas, a drainage system, and associated utilities. 

Up to 30 workers were on site at any one time, including three apprentices and two trainee engineers, as the work was completed on schedule. 

The project also delivered opportunities for a work placement from Middlesbrough College, as well as local suppliers of fencing, haulage, and materials. 

Rhys Roberts, project manager at Jones Bros, said: “The project went to plan as we were able to take advantage of the dry weather to make impressive progress. 

“At times the ground conditions, which featured plenty of sand, were challenging, but the highly skilled team, featuring apprentices and trainees, worked tirelessly to deliver the project.

Rhys Roberts

“We are thrilled to be able to help the development whilst simultaneously giving something back to the region in terms of suppliers. 

“It was also pleasing to continue nurturing relationships with SSE, Equinor and RWE.” 

Sofia is owned by RWE while Dogger Bank Wind Farm is owned jointly by Equinor, SSE Renewables and ENI Plenitude.  

The organisations behind the two wind farms, which will generate 1.4GW and 3.6GW of power respectively, have worked in partnership to co-locate their Teesside onshore converter stations and onshore cables. 

RWE’s Matthew Swanwick, Sofia project director, said: “Jones Bros’ successful completion of this early civil engineering work on behalf of both wind farms set a high standard for the next phases of construction and the ongoing unique cooperation between our separate projects.” 

Jones Bros is continuing work in Teesside on the high voltage alternating current (HVAC) connection works for the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm as well as working on the onshore infrastructure for the first two phases, 70 miles south near Hull, in East Riding of Yorkshire.

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Stephen Reynolds, onshore package manager on the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “Completion of this enabling work is an important milestone in our preparations for the construction of our third convertor station later this year. The team carried out the work safely, on schedule and to a very high standard.  

“We continue to work with Jones Bros on all three phases of the project and welcome their ongoing efforts to provide green energy opportunities to a number of trainees and apprentices.”