Fugro Set for Triton Knoll Site Survey

Innogy’s Triton Knoll offshore wind farm is set to begin its most extensive offshore programme of works to date with Fugro’s UK-based marine site characterisation group taking the helm.

The team of technical specialists at Fugro GB Marine will lead a programme of seabed and sub-seafloor investigations on behalf of Triton Knoll, with three vessels operating out of the Humber.

Another local firm, PMSL, will also provide guard vessel services for the duration of the works, ensuring the survey areas remain safe and clear at all times.

It’s the first major offshore activity for the 860MW project since its successful bid into the Government’s latest Contract for Difference (CfD) auction in September and after innogy acquired former partner Statkraft’s shares in the wind farm to become sole owner.

Andy Barwise, Triton Knoll principal geotechnical engineer, said: “We’re delighted to be taking our first steps into UK waters so soon after our successful CfD bid, and very pleased to have Fugro at helm of this important stage of the project.

“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. 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.”

Triton Knoll is now entering an exciting phase, with a CfD secured and all of its preferred suppliers on board and collaborating towards the delivery of the project’s business plan.

Under a circa £3-million contract, Fugro will operate three vessels out of the Humber, supported by technical teams from the company’s Wallingford headquarters. The full package of 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 2 offshore substations. It will also look at conditions around the export and inter-array cable locations.

Tony Hodgson, Fugro’s global product manager for Renewables, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this strategically important project. Our delivery of accurate, reliable data will not only support innogy’s decisions in the development process but will help to ensure the long-term, safe operational performance of this facility.”

Triton Knoll is an innogy-owned offshore wind farm, and has a planned installed capacity of 860MW capable of supplying the equivalent of over 800,000 UK households per year, with renewable electricity.

The project was awarded a Contract For Difference in September 2017, and expects to trigger a capital expenditure investment of around £2billion into much needed UK energy infrastructure. This will enable the delivery of some of the lowest cost energy generation for UK consumers.

It is now progressing towards a financial investment decision likely in 2018 with full onshore construction starting shortly after, and offshore construction starting in 2020. First energy generation could be as early as mid-Q1 2021, with the project expecting to begin commissioning in 2021.