Energy firms behind the Dogger Bank Wind Farm have committed £25m funding to boost science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education along the North East and East Yorkshire coast.
The pot will be spent over the 35-year lifespan of the wind farm, which will be the world’s largest once completed. It is intended to build on £1m already launched during the construction phase of the 3.6GW development which is said to have already helped 36,000 young people in 204 schools, supported 62 university scholarships, and provided grants to community groups.
Dogger Bank’s joint venture partners – Equinor, SSE Renewables and Vårgrønn – have committed to funding STEM learning projects in South Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, and East Riding of Yorkshire. That work is designed to encourage young people to consider relevant careers in the net zero energy transition.
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The South Tyneside STEM education programme has been developed with South Tyneside Council and offers children hands-on activities. It is intended to build on the last two years of the Little Inventors Programme, which has challenged young people to create renewable energy systems that have then been brought to life and exhibited in local museums.
A similar STEM education programme has been developed in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Council which is intended to continue the work of the Building our Futures primary school STEM careers scheme which was supported through the initial funding. The next phase will target early years and the transition to secondary school by giving teachers the confidence to forge relationships with local industry and run their own careers programmes.
On top of the community funds pledged, half of Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s rental payments to the Crown Estate will go to the Coastal Communities Fund – a UK Government-funded regeneration initiative. The joint venture partners say that under the current arrangement, the money received by the Coastal Communities Fund will equate to 1% of the wind farm’s gross revenue, which could amount to tens of millions of pounds.
Mark Halliday, Dogger Bank operations director, said: “Through the operations community fund, we continue to aim to empower and uplift communities by investing in projects that make a lasting impact. We are particularly excited to support the levelling up agenda by working with schools in the north and North East of England, where I personally grew up, by providing opportunities for STEM education. By fostering a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we hope to equip the next generation with the skills they need to be a part of a sustainable future.”
Oliver Cass, Dogger Bank project director, said: “It’s been our great privilege during the last three years to work with education providers and local communities to kickstart a programme of investment that is bringing long-term benefits for communities. It is vitally important that developers work in partnership with local communities in order to sustainably deliver the critical green energy infrastructure that will shape our future.”
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber