Fugro has entered into a seven-year framework agreement with EirGrid, the state-owned electricity transmission operator, to advance the Powering Up Offshore – South Coast project. This initiative will facilitate the connection of future wind farms off the south coast of Ireland to the national power grid through modern offshore power substations and carefully considered cable routes.
Seabed data for EirGrid
In detail, Fugro will deploy a comprehensive package of geotechnical, environmentalenvironmental and geophysical studies, accompanied by desktop studies. This work will generate a detailed earth model that will provide EirGrid with accurate information on subsurface conditions, crucial to optimize the installation of energy infrastructure and protect the marine ecosystem.
On the other hand, operations will commence in July 2025, starting with geophysical and environmental and environmental studies. All geographic data will be delivered through VirGeo, a digital platform that allows secure, real-time access to key project information. Powering Up Offshore – South Coastproject, fostering collaboration among all stakeholders.
Specialized resources for marine areas
It is important to note that the area of operations covers land, intertidal, coastal and maritime areas, which requires specialized resources. The company will use vessels such as the Fugro Seeker and the Kommander Iona, as well as self-elevating barges for work in shallow waters. shallow water. It will also rely on the support of local Irish suppliers for tasks such as meteocean data collection and aerial drone surveys. aerial surveys with dronesthus enriching its geospatial analysis.
It should be recalled that this collaboration directly supports the Irish Government’s climate action plan, which aims to source at least 80% of electricity capacity from renewable sources, including 5 GW of offshore wind power. The robust infrastructure that will be developed through this agreement is essential for the integration of offshore energy into the national electricity system.
Follow us on social networks and don’t miss any of our publications!
YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok
Source and photo: Fugro
