Regulatory Other

In July 2025, the Planning Inspectorate’s examination of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application for the Dogger Bank South offshore wind projects formally closed. The Dogger Bank South development comprises two sites, Dogger Bank South East (DBS East) and Dogger Bank South West (DBS West), being promoted together as a combined scheme. The DCO application for these projects had previously been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination in July 2024, initiating the statutory review process for this large offshore wind development located over 100 km off the northeast coast of England. The closing of the examination marks the conclusion of the formal evidence-gathering and hearing phase for the Dogger Bank South DCO, during which the Planning Inspectorate considers submissions from the developer and stakeholders. The project is led by RWE, which holds a 51% share and is responsible for development, construction and operation on behalf of the project partners, with Masdar holding the remaining 49%. The two sites together are planned to deliver a significant amount of offshore wind capacity as part of the UK’s energy transition. With the examination now formally closed, the Planning Inspectorate moves into the recommendation and decision phase, and RWE indicates that a consent decision is anticipated within six months of the July 2025 closure. This milestone is therefore a key regulatory step for Dogger Bank South West and its sister project Dogger Bank South East, moving them closer to securing the necessary development consent before progressing to later development and construction activities.