150 jobs safeguarded as North East firm signs contract with DONG Energy for world's biggest windfarm

2016-11-30T09:30:00.0000000Z

DeepOcean, based in Darlington, has won a multi-million pound contract to transport and install cables for DONG Energy's Hornsea Project One wind farm, which will be the biggest in the world.

(L-R: Pierre Boyde, Bart Heijermans, Duncan Clark, & Peter Steen Ejler)

Located 120km off the Yorkshire Coast, Hornsea Project One will be the first windfarm in history with a capacity of over one gigawatt (GW), and be capable of supplying electricity to well over one million homes.

DONG Energy has signed contracts with UK companies for other major components of the windfarm including offshore cables, the offshore reactive compensation station and the onshore substation.

Duncan Clark, Hornsea Project One Director, said: "Throughout this project we've worked hard to ensure as much value as possible is realised by UK businesses. Today's announcement further demonstrates both the UK's ability to supply the offshore wind industry, and DONG Energy's continuing commitment to investing in the UK."

Notes to Editors

About DONG Energy:

DONG Energy (NASDAQ OMX: DENERG) is one of Northern Europe's leading energy groups and is headquartered in Denmark. Around 6,200 ambitious employees, including over 850 in the UK, develop, construct and operate offshore wind farms, generate power and heat from our power stations as well as supply and trade in energy to wholesale, business and residential customers. In addition, we produce oil and gas, and a process has been initiated to divest this business unit. The continuing part of the Group has approximately 5,800 employees and generated a revenue in 2016 of DKK 61 billion (EUR 8.2 billion). For further information, see www.dongenergy.co.uk or follow us @DONGEnergyUK on Twitter.

The contract was signed in Grimsby at a supply chain event held by DONG Energy to connect with potential new local suppliers. Some of DONG Energy's Tier 1 suppliers also took part to meet smaller suppliers, as they too could work with local businesses to help complete the works.

Duncan continued: "DONG Energy recognises its role in supporting the Government's industrial strategy and building up the UK's offshore wind supply chain. As we progress with the construction of our wind farms we have an important part to play in linking UK firms to develop the supply chain further and support this growing sector. We're here in Grimsby today for that very reason, it's really becoming a hub for offshore wind. Using UK suppliers for Hornsea Project One is just the start as we look to build more offshore wind farms here in the future."

DeepOcean's Commercial Director for Cables & Trenching Pierre Boyde, said: "After our awards on the Race Bank & Walney Extension projects we are delighted to be further developing our relationship with DONG Energy. We have invested heavily in class leading installation and trenching technology with a strong focus on both safety and productivity. This award will safeguard 150 jobs in Darlington and the surrounding area as well as enabling us to offer significant opportunities to the UK supply chain".

For additional information, please contact:

Juliette Sanders - Ørsted
+44 20 7811 1181