Proposed transmission licence exemption for Dogger Bank A: summary of responses and outcome
Updated 15 January 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-transmission-licence-exemption-dogger-bank-a-wind-farm/proposed-transmission-licence-exemption-for-dogger-bank-a-summary-of-responses-and-outcome
Summary of responses
We received 3 responses to this consultation, including one from the wind farm operator, Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm Project 1 Projco Ltd, which expressed strong support for the request for an exemption to 19 December 2025.
We also received a response from the preferred bidder to become the Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) for the project, Equitix Investment Management Limited, Kyuden International Corporation and Kyuden T&D Global CO., Inc. Consortium. They also expressed strong support for the proposed exemption. They highlighted the necessity of an exemption to provide time to enable them to complete their technical due diligence and confirm the technical integrity of the transmission assets through increased loads.
We received a further response from a member of the public, which raised concerns about how the high number of transmission licence exemptions the department has given in recent years has affected the OFTO regime. The department acknowledges that the OFTO regime requires reform to ensure it remains fit for purpose for the future, and we will respond to our call for evidence on the future of the OFTO regime with a consultation on further options in due course. However, we do not believe that this response raised material objections that weigh against the minister’s reasons for supporting this specific exemption.
In line with our statutory obligations, we consulted Scottish Ministers but did not receive a response.
Outcome
The Secretary of State has delegated decisions on transmission licence exemptions to Minister Shanks, Minister for Energy.
After careful consideration of the exemption application, the principal objective and general duties under section 3A of Electricity Act 1989, and these representations, Minister Shanks is minded to grant the exemption under the proposed conditions. He has determined that an extension to 19 December 2025 is a reasonable and proportionate length for the exemption. This will allow sufficient time to finish the installation and commissioning of the wind turbines at Dogger Bank A and then to undergo compliance testing so that the asset can be transferred.
The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Dogger Bank A) (England) Order 2025 will be available on legislation.gov.uk, along with the Explanatory Memorandum.