The UK’s National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has awarded a tender to Dogger Bank C in an effort to keep voltage levels in the country’s power network stable.

This is the first time National Grid ESO has contracted an offshore wind farm project for reactive power.

Dogger Bank C was selected as part of the £22.5m ($30.4m) Pennines Voltage Pathfinder process to secure reactive power capability until 2034.

The wind farm’s transmission asset and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) will deliver 700MVAr of reactive power capability in the North East of England and West Yorkshire regions between 2024 and 2034. 

Dogger Bank C’s onshore converter station at Lazenby will deliver 200MVAr of reactive power capability over the ten-year period.

This is intended to help stabilise voltage on the grid as the Hartlepool nuclear power station is scheduled to be shut down in March 2024.

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NGET’s asset will also provide a similar service in West Yorkshire following the closure of other power stations in that region.

The selection of Dogger Bank C’s planned offshore transmission asset is expected to remove the need to build grid solutions in the region to provide transmission.

SSE Renewables, the company leading Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s construction works, plans to begin onshore construction for the offshore transmission asset later this year.

National Grid ESO Networks head Julian Leslie said: “These services take us another step closer to 100% zero carbon operation, showcasing Britain’s innovation in engineering and driving competition within the system, ultimately saving consumers millions of pounds.

“Reactive power capability is vital for managing voltage and being able to operate a zero-carbon system of the future so we’re excited to see that an offshore wind farm’s transmission asset will deliver reactive power to support the wider network for the first time in Britain.”