DONG Energy, E.ON and Fred Olsen Renewables have announced they have formed a consortium to bid for thousands of megawatts of offshore wind capacity in UK offshore waters.

The consortium has bid for exclusive rights on a number of zones as part of The Crown Estate's Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm programme.

Dave Rogers, Regional Director for Renewables at E.ON, said: "In Round 3 we'll see wind farms being built further offshore and in much more challenging environments than ever before.

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"That's why we have, as a consortium, brought together companies with the financial ability and the experience of working on major on- and offshore wind projects, as well as working in difficult offshore conditions in the oil and gas industry, to make this a success."

"Round 3 represents a challenge to both developers and the wider industry. Nothing on this scale has been done before," said Niels Bergh-Hansen, Executive VP of DONG Energy.

"Significant investments in the supply chain will be required and new and innovative solutions will need to be found.

"The consortium partners have proven track records of offshore wind project delivery and are taking an active part in related R&D activities which give evidence that the consortium can meet these challenges."

The three companies have worked together on renewable and offshore wind projects dating back to the 1990s and have contractual commitments extending beyond 2020.

(CD/JM)