SSE, Equinor, and Vårgrønn have received an eight-month extension to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) start date for part of the 1.2 GW Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm in the UK, as turbine repairs continue to delay commissioning.

Revised Deadline Approved by LCCC

The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) has approved a revised CfD start date of 31 July 2027 for the project's first 300 MW contract tranche, awarded under Allocation Round 3 (AR3). The previous contractual deadline was 30 November 2026.

The developers are understood to have advised LCCC that Dogger Bank A would be unable to meet the commissioning milestones and minimum generating capacity requirements needed to activate the contract by the original deadline.

Background: Blade Failures in 2024

The revised schedule follows construction difficulties in 2024, including two blade failures involving GE Vernova Haliade-X turbines. The incidents prompted further inspections, which identified additional repair requirements across the wind farm.

The project experienced blade damage incidents in May and August 2024. Following the August incident, the project team reported that GE Vernova's investigation had linked the failure to conditions encountered during turbine commissioning.

More than ten turbines are understood to require replacement blades and work on certain nacelle components. The two turbines affected by the earlier blade failures are also expected to receive replacement towers, nacelles, and blades.

These repairs have added to the commissioning workload at Dogger Bank A, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2024.

Current Project Status and Timeline

The 95-turbine Dogger Bank A project, located approximately 130 km off the UK coast, is now expected to become fully operational in the third quarter of 2027, according to the latest SSE energy market disclosure cited in the report.

Despite the extended timetable, the developers maintain that the wind farm will be substantially available for electricity generation by the end of 2026.

Developer Response

A project spokesperson attributed the CfD extension to the continuing effects of the 2024 construction setbacks and their impact on commissioning. The developers indicated that the revised timetable was consistent with delays previously communicated to the market.

The commissioning difficulties described have affected Dogger Bank A only.

Scope of the Extension

The extension applies to the first 300 MW CfD tranche. No changes have been reported for the remaining two contract tranches, which retain their existing long-stop dates of 31 January and 31 May 2027, respectively.

The revised CfD date does not represent a new target for the wind farm's first electricity generation. It concerns the contractual requirements for bringing the first 300 MW CfD tranche into effect, while turbine repairs and commissioning continue.

Stay Ahead in the UK Power Sector

How much time does your team spend navigating fragmented data across the United Kingdom energy markets? In today's rapidly evolving power sector, fragmented intelligence can lead to missed opportunities.

The Global Power Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research consolidates energy project intelligence from the UK into a single, intuitive dashboard, enabling you to identify opportunities before your competitors even realize they exist.

In the power sector, having real-time visibility across UK markets turns uncertainty into informed strategy, whether you're pursuing new collaborations, providing essential equipment, or exploring investment opportunities.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a Free Demo today and see how the Global Power Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research can power your next move.