The so-called Energy Islands could supply at least 10 GW of offshore wind energy to Denmark and other markets.
In order to commence cable route surveys for the North Sea Energy Island project, a contract between Fugro, a geo-data specialist, and Energinet, the Danish national transmission system operator for electricity and natural gas, has been formed.
The new Energy Islands will function as offshore renewable energy power plants supplying as much as 10 GW of offshore wind to Denmark and neighbouring markets.
A combination of geophysical, geotechnical services, and laboratory testing will be carried out by Fugro to gain a better understanding of the ground engineering challenges along the cable route, which will run from the Danish landfalls to the proposed artificial island location.
In March 2022, geophysical and geotechnical surveys will begin using survey vessels provided by Fugro to analyse the Energy Islands. This will incorporate remotely operated vehicle (ROV) inspections and shallow geotechnical investigations using the Blue Snake geotechnical system.
“Energinet will benefit from our integrated services by enhanced safety and improved project efficiency,” said Mathijs Hogerwerf, Commercial Manager at Fugro.
“Our vessels, equipment, planning, and execution methods meet the needs of such a complex assignment and will also help us manage difficult metocean conditions.”
To allow data to be collected in a single pass with testing achieved consecutively at fixed distances along the cable route, Blue Snake integrates cone penetration testing (CPT) and sampling technology.
The system minimises manual handling and improves workability in difficult weather conditions by integrating a high performance vibrocorer and 10-ton CPT into one frame with a tailored launch and recovery system.
“Energinet is looking forward to take another important step with the Cable Route Survey to the North Sea Energy Island together with the experienced team from Fugro,” said Søren Stricker Mathiasen, Contract Manager for Energinet.
The Energy Islands contract between Fugro and Energinet follows two geotechnical site investigation contracts and a marine site characterisation contracted awarded to Fugro earlier in the year.
