Fugro is set to start seabed and sub-seafloor investigations at the Triton Knoll site in the UK. Under a GBP 3 million contract, Fugro will operate three vessels out of the Humber, supported by technical teams from the company’s Wallingford headquarters.
The geophysical and geotechnical investigations will involve the mapping and testing of the seafloor and sub-seafloor conditions and borehole testing to a depth of up to 50 metres, at the locations of all 90 turbines and two offshore substations . Conditions around the export and inter-array cable locations will also be investigated.
For the duration of the works, the local firm PMSL will provide guard vessel services.
“This programme of site investigations will aid our detailed design work, and marks a critical stage in our preparations for offshore construction, currently expected to begin in 2020,” said Andy Barwise , Triton Knoll Principal Geotechnical Engineer. “These site investigations will be key to the production and installation of the 90 monopile foundations , currently being designed by UK firm Atkins on behalf of main contractor Smulders Sif Steel Foundations JV , and which will support the most powerful and efficient wind turbines currently on the market.”
According to innogy, this is the first major offshore activity for the Triton Knoll project since winning at the UK Government’s latest Contract for Difference (CfD) auction in September and after innogy acquired former partner Statkraft’s shares in the 860MW wind farm to become sole owner.