CMS advises Equinor and SSE Renewables on third phase of world's largest offshore wind farm

International law firm CMS has acted as legal adviser to SSE Renewables and Equinor in relation to Dogger Bank C, the third phase of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when complete in 2026. CMS provided real estate, consenting and onshore works advice.

SSE Renewables and Equinor are already constructing the first two phases of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm with Eni, joint venture partner on phases A and B of the world-leading offshore wind project to be installed off the northeast coast of England. Now, with financial close being reached on the project’s third phase, Dogger Bank Wind Farm has passed the last important milestone ahead of its construction delivery programme.

Dogger Bank C has a capacity of 1,200MW and will generate around 6TWh. In total, Dogger Bank will produce enough clean, renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million UK homes.

SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

Leilah Rawle, CMS Real Estate partner, comments: “We are delighted to have advised long-standing clients Equinor and SSE Renewables on this exciting project. CMS’s involvement is a testament to the firm’s market-leading reputation advising on large renewables deals and we are pleased to have been able to leverage our leading experience in complex real estate and energy planning matters. The Dogger Bank Wind Farm will play an important role in the de-carbonisation of the UK’s electricity system – we look forward to seeing it come to life.”

The overall work on the Dogger Bank projects at CMS has been coordinated by partner Munir Hassan since first rights to the zone were secured in Round 3 in 2009, with the real estate and consenting work on Dogger Bank C led by partners Leilah Rawle, Stephen McNaught and Robin Hutchison. The wider team included Nadia Wheeler, Emma Forbes-Stocken, Elizabeta Shakaj and James Pontifex (Real Estate); Robert Garden, Kathryn Nolin and Gael Hardie (Planning); and Dalia Majumder-Russell and Freddie May (Energy).