SSE Renewables has completed two offshore survey campaigns for the 800MW Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 project, off Ireland.
The surveys took place over an eight-week period during July and August.
Irish contractor Ground Investigation Ireland undertook a nearshore borehole campaign and Danish contractor Geo carried out cone penetration and Vibrocore testing.
The surveys were completed on schedule despite somewhat unsettled weather conditions experienced over the last couple of months and were facilitated by the cooperation of other marine users including members of the commercial fisheries industry.
The information collected as part of these surveys enhances the project’s understanding of seabed conditions and will support ongoing design refinement and project development work.
John O’Sullivan, Project Manager at SSE Renewables, said: “The successful completion of these survey campaigns represents another important milestone in the delivery of the Arklow Bank project and equips our team with the most up to date information as we move through the detailed design process.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the meaningful engagement that has been ongoing with key local stakeholders throughout the process.”
SSE Renewables is working towards submission of the final outstanding consent for Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 to An Bord Pleanála in the coming months.
Consent has already been secured for the onshore grid infrastructure and for the operations and maintenance facility in Arklow Harbour’s South Dock.
Work is also progressing well to secure a route to market for the 800MW project.
This follows a commitment by SSE Renewables earlier this year following the developer’s disappointment in Ireland’s first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) auction.