Equinor community funds invest in Norfolk’s green future

Whilst its headquarters are in Norway, two of its offshore wind farms are located right here in Norfolk.

Operated from the port of Great Yarmouth at Equinor’s Greater Wash base, Sheringham Shoal is a 317MW wind farm featuring 88 wind turbines and Dudgeon is a 402MW wind farm with 67 6MW wind turbine generators.

Recent government consent to extend Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon means that the capacity of the existing wind farms will soon be doubled. Once extended, Equinor’s Norfolk-based wind farms will power nearly 1.5 million homes.

But Equinor does not just support the local area by keeping the lights on. Run by the Norfolk Community Foundation, the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Community Funds also invest in the welfare and development of our region.

Sophie Skipp, Greater Wash principal stakeholder manager at Equinor (Image: Vicky Fry)

Sophie Skipp, Greater Wash principal stakeholder manager at Equinor, ensures the funding benefits the people of Norfolk.

“I work with the people our project impacts – creating jobs, powering our homes and making sure we construct offshore wind farms supporting our local communities,” Sophie said. “I live in Norfolk, so I’m obsessive about local benefits!”

Established in 2010, the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund supports a wide range of community projects and initiatives across North Norfolk.

Grants are awarded to initiatives that address climate change; assist the sustainability of North Norfolk communities; enhance marine environment and safety; promote the benefits of renewable energy; and support education or employment in the green energy industry.

“Many village halls and community centres have received grants for the installation of renewable energy systems, including solar panels and air source heating systems,” said Sophie.

Chairman George Brett-Reynolds and Equinor UK head of social value Susan Falch-Lovesey at Wighton Village Hall (Image: Susie Freeman)

One example of a community that has benefited from the funding is Wighton, a village close to Wells-next-the-Sea. Residents succeeded in raising £730,000 to replace the village’s existing ‘recreation hut’ with a new, environmentally-friendly village hall, licensed for occupancy by up to 242 people.

The fund-raising campaign included a grant from the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, which has enabled the project committee to install a 430kWh solar PV panel system in the building.

“This is primarily used to supply electricity to power an air source heat pump which provides under floor heating and hot water, whilst also powering two electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the car park,” Sophie said.

George Brett-Reynolds, chair of the management committee at Wighton Village Hall, said: “As the underfloor heating system is powered by the 36 roof-based solar panels, we are now able to offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere regardless of the time of day for which the hall is booked for an event or activity.”

To date the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund has awarded grants totalling £1,261,763. This has included more than 100 individual community projects and bursaries, as well as support for Norfolk’s Covid-19 response and the Every Child Online initiative.

The Dudgeon Community Fund, on the other hand, donates a minimum of £100,000 every year to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) inspired projects benefitting young people.

Sophie is particularly passionate about this cause. Before working at Equinor, she was employed at University Technical College Norfolk, where she was responsible for helping young people decide their career paths.

“I’d grown up sorting nuts and bolts for my dad’s small business, supplying the construction industry,” she said. “We would deliver to building sites including Sizewell B.

“Maybe it was inevitable I’d eventually find my way to a job building a project generating our electricity?”

Dudgeon Wind Farm (Image: WESSEL KEIJER)

In 2023, Equinor launched a pilot career support programme, the Dudgeon STEM Skills and Employability Fund for Younger People, to include young adults aged 16-30. One of the eight projects supported by this programme has transformed a disused space into a thriving tree nursery and wildlife meadow at City College Norwich’s Easton College campus.

Sophie encourages local charities, schools and community groups to put forward their proposals and apply for funding.

“Small grassroots charities don’t have to jump through many hoops to inspire us with their work. You don’t have to have a grant application specialist to demonstrate a good plan.”

By investing in the local community, Sophie hopes that this funding will help to meet Equinor’s commitment to Norfolk, where our team live and work.

“I want to hear about how your parents are enjoying a community centre powered by our project to catch up with their friends,” Sophie said. “I want to hear future stories about how our STEM project inspired your child to choose their career.”

For more information or to apply for funding, visit norfolkfoundation.com

(Image: Newsquest)

This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.