A new report has set out what foundations would be needed to install wind turbines off the coast of North East England.
Experts from the Arrow Innovation Support programme, our Department of Engineering, and offshore geoscience consultancy Cathie looked at how turbines could be deployed in this challenging environment.
Their findings have been included in the evidence base for The 10 Year Vision and Strategy for North East England Offshore Wind. Drawing on expertise from other industry partners, including Vårgrønn, Energi Coast and SLPE, the research identified a range of foundation designs that could be installed north of Dogger Bank in the North Sea.
To date almost all UK offshore wind turbines have been built with fixed foundations in water depths of less than 50 metres.
The area north of Dogger Bank has water depths of 50 to 100 metres meaning the options to build wind turbines are either to extend the development of fixed foundation design or move to floating foundations.
Our report assesses water depth and seabed conditions to determine where fixed foundations might be feasible and where floating foundations will most probably be needed.
Under the Crown Estate’s North East Area of Opportunity (NEAO) seabed leasing programme, set to take place by 2030, the region is seen as an ideal location for offshore wind turbines.
These turbines could power up to 30 million homes, significantly contributing to the UK's renewable energy goals.
However, the NEAO presents a range of unique challenges, including complex seabed conditions that could drive up costs and hinder installation.
Our report shows which wind turbine foundations could be employed to overcome these challenges.
The findings will play a crucial role in informing the planning and development of offshore wind projects in North East England over the next decade.
With the report’s insights, Cathie will be able to guide the companies behind the installation of wind turbines in navigating the complex challenges posed by the NEAO.
This will ensure that future wind energy projects are both technically feasible and economically viable.
The report "Overview of the Viable Wind Turbine Foundation Designs for the Areas of NE Seabed (North of Dogger Bank)" For more information contact Cathie on marketing@cathiegroup.com
The report was authored by Dr Matthew Littlefair, Associate Fellow, Durham Energy Institute, and Professor Simon Hogg, Department of Engineering, working together with engineers and geologists from Cathie as part of the Arrow Innovation Support programme.
Read more about The 10 Year Vision and Strategy for North East England Offshore Wind Commissioned by UK energy sector network NOF on behalf of the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority. The strategy was developed with support from Energi Coast, the North East of England’s offshore wind cluster.
Arrow Innovation Support helps regional businesses to grow and innovate through academic collaboration with Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, and the University of Sunderland. It is fully-funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) support through Durham County Council and the North East Combined Authority.
Our Department of Engineering is ranked fifth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2026. Visit our Engineering webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
More about Vårgrønn and SLPE.
Photo by Jean Carlo Emer on Unsplash.
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