A WINDFARM company has signed an agreement to fund the running costs of Barrow lifeboat station as part of a deal worth £120,000. 

DONG Energy has signed a partnership with The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to fund the boat running costs of the RNLI station in Barrow. 

For an initial period of two years, DONG Energy will fund the boat running costs of the Barrow RNLI station, helping it to continue saving lives in the area. 

DONG Energy has three offshore windfarms currently in operation near Barrow in the East Irish Sea (Barrow, Walney and West of Duddon Sands) and one more in development (Walney Extension). 

Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK Country Chairman, said: “The RNLI is a fantastic charity that does incredible work, and I am thrilled that we are now funding the boat running costs for the RNLI station in Barrow. “The RNLI saves lives at sea every day and as a company operating at sea ourselves, we know all about the extraordinary support that the RNLI provides to coastal communities. 

“DONG Energy is fully committed to making a positive contribution to the areas where we operate and that’s why this partnership makes so much sense. We are delighted to support the RNLI in continuing with their outstanding lifeboat search and rescue service.” 

Dave Green, Barrow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “We were delighted to hear that DONG Energy wanted to support the RNLI in Barrow. Our dedicated volunteer crew are always ready to drop everything when the call comes to launch the lifeboats on a rescue, but they couldn’t carry on saving lives without voluntary donations and support from organisations like DONG Energy. 

“On behalf of the crew and all volunteers at Barrow RNLI, I want to say a very big thank you to DONG Energy. As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and fundraising, and so to know that our lifeboat running costs will be covered for the next two years is a huge boost to the Barrow RNLI Lifeboat.” 

DONG Energy and the RNLI have agreed to work together for an initial period of two years, during which time DONG Energy will make a financial donation of £120,000 to help fund the work of the RNLI. 

In total, DONG Energy will be supporting six RNLI stations across the UK (Barrow, Clacton-on-Sea, Humber, New Brighton, Ramsgate and Wells-next-the-Sea). The £120,000 will be split between the six stations. 

DONG Energy currently has eight operational offshore windfarms in the UK, with a further four in planning or development. These offshore windfarms are all located in areas corresponding to the six RNLI stations that are being supported in this new partnership.