The partners behind the Muir Mhor floating offshore wind farm have appointed marine survey services provider EGS to provide geophysical and environmental site investigations for the project.
EGS will survey a wind farm area equating to approximately 200 square kilometres in addition to an offshore export cable corridor area of 100 square kilometres once the point of landfall has been identified.
Preliminary surveys will commence in April 2023 and run into summer, with key stakeholder engagement already underway to ensure the survey is carried out safely and efficiently.
The outcomes from EGS’s investigations will inform the project’s geotechnical approach, and will support an accelerated timetable for the consent applications.
Fred. Olsen Seawind and Vattenfall, the partners developing the Muir Mhor floating offshore wind farm received the seabed rights for the site in the E2 plan option area of the January 2022 ScotWind auction.
David Hinshelwood [pictured], Project Director for Muir Mhor, said: “We are delighted to have appointed EGS to the Muir Mhor consulting team. To get these essential surveys underway in a matter of weeks will be fantastic progress for the project.
“With over four decades of experience in the survey market, EGS have an extensive track record in supporting offshore renewables developments. Their geophysical and environmental work will be hugely instrumental to site characterisation, future design and engineering works, as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment process.
“I look forward to working with EGS to progress the Muir Mhor floating offshore project, which will lead the energy transition and secure Scotland’s energy future while delivering tangible benefits for the local and national economy. “
Deborah Jenkins, Managing Director at EGS International, added: “We are very pleased to have been selected by the Muir Mhor offshore wind farm team for this project and are excited to be working off the north-east coast of Scotland this spring.
“We look forward to using our expertise to contribute to the early stages of the planning and development of this wind farm, focusing on safe operations and producing high-quality results for our client. We are looking forward to the opportunity of working with the Muir Mhor team and supporting the wind farm through its full lifecycle.”