Located over 130 km off the coast of Yorkshire in the UK, the three-phase Dogger Bank offshore wind development will deliver clean electricity to approximately six million homes when fully operational. ABB's advanced electrification and digital solutions enable the reliable transmission of offshore renewable power at large scale.
Working in collaboration with Norwegian contractor Aibel, ABB delivered the complete electrical system for Dogger Bank C's offshore substation, having been selected in 2019 to supply electrical substations for all three phases, Dogger Bank A, B and C.
“We’ve had a strong, collaborative relationship with ABB for many years, even before the Dogger Bank project. When we signed the contract for Dogger Bank C, it was more than a transaction – it marked the continuation of a trusted partnership,” said Olav Opedal, Project Manager at Aibel.
The scope for this project includes auxiliary control systems, overall OT security, IT infrastructure, condition monitoring, telecoms, low voltage power distribution and bus ducts. Combined with digital technologies, these systems enhance availability, safety and efficiency while enabling remote operations and predictive maintenance to reduce offshore staffing and extend asset life.
ABB’s technology and engineering solutions act as a central gateway that unlocks the offshore wind process, allowing the electricity generated by wind turbines to flow through to the national grid and into peoples’ homes. When the turbines at Dogger Bank produce power, offshore substations allow the alternating current (AC) to be converted to direct current (DC) so the electricity can be transported to onshore substations, where it is inverted back to AC.
ABB delivered the complete electrical system for the Dogger Bank C offshore substation. 
Dogger Bank turbine, courtesy of SSE Renewables.
Winds of change delivering the energy transition
ABB has been involved in commercializing wind power projects for over four decades, working with partners to maximize energy output, ensure grid stability and keep operations running smoothly through automation, electrification and digital solutions built to adapt to tough conditions.
Today, over 40,000 wind turbines around the world use ABB components, making ABB the largest supplier of electrical components to the wind industry with an installed base in many countries.
ABB is supporting 14 offshore wind projects worldwide which collectively represent 20 GW of power capacity. Across the UK alone, ABB is contributing to nine key offshore wind projects, collectively representing close to 12 GW of power capacity.
“Wind is a green and abundant resource, making it a prime enabler of energy security and energy independence,” said Kristine Høysæter, Project Manager at ABB’s Energy Industries division. “We're proud to work alongside partners like Aibel to make these complex systems efficient, reliable and scalable.”
Technology that unlocks offshore wind potential
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), offshore wind could generate more than 18 times current global electricity demand1, provided governments and industry accelerate deployment. When compared to onshore installations, offshore wind offers stronger and more consistent winds with reduced geographical constraints, resulting in higher capacity factors.
By the end of this decade, wind is expected to become the second largest source of global renewable electricity generation behind solar PV, surpassing generation from hydropower. While growth in offshore wind capacity is set to nearly quadruple by 20302.
The substation installation at Dogger Bank C represents a key step towards full commercial operation. Once connected, the final phase will complete the project's 3.6 GW capacity, cementing its status as the world's largest offshore wind installation.
“Projects like Dogger Bank showcase how automation and digitalization have a key role to play in the integration of energy generation, grid management, and storage,” said Pedro Patacão, Global Offshore Wind Business Manager at ABB’s Energy Industries division. “From initial design to ongoing operation and maintenance, ABB is committed to delivering innovative solutions that ensure offshore wind projects are not only efficient and reliable but built for sustainable, long-term success.”
1 https://www.iea.org/reports/offshore-wind-outlook-2019
2 https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables/wind
