This is the largest campaign undertaken by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to date and part of the accelerated development by the Dutch government in line with the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap 2030. Once completed, the wind farms will deliver a total installed capacity of circa 4.7GW.
The comprehensive geo-data acquired by Fugro will be used by wind farm developers as input for preliminary engineering design studies and future tenders, and will also be available for power cable design, archaeology and marine biology investigations.
Specialist geotechnical vessels from the Fugro fleet will commence the surveys in March 2023 and continue into the fourth quarter of 2023; further processing, laboratory testing and reporting of results will take well into 2024.
The fieldwork will comprise investigations of the seabed and subsurface undertaken using state-of-the-art techniques and innovations, including Fugro's SEACALF Mk V DeepDrive system for seabed cone penetration tests and WISON Mk V Ecodrive. Fugro's data delivery platform will provide secure and easy client access. Increased laboratory capacity onboard the vessels will ensure faster processing of results. Subsequent extensive laboratory testing will take place in Fugro's recently extended laboratories in the UK and Belgium.
Peter-Paul Lebbink, RVO's coordinator soil characterisation, said: "By awarding this extensive geotechnical survey, RVO is taking another important step in the realisation of the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap 2030. We are looking forward to receiving high-quality geotechnical results in three different Dutch offshore wind farm zones from Fugro".
Erik Jan Bijvank, Fugro's group director Europe & Africa added: "We are delighted to have been awarded this important project and support the Dutch government in achieving its new fast-track sustainability goals. Our unique combination of technical capabilities, resources, innovations and talented people underlines our commitment to secure a safe and liveable world by delivering the best possible data to assist with the energy transition".
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