Blue Gem Wind has begun digital offshore aerial surveys for the 300MW Valorous floating wind project in the Celtic Sea.
The TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Energy joint venture selected APEM to deliver 24 consecutive monthly bird and marine mammal surveys of the early-commercial scale Valorous site.
The high-resolution data obtained will support baseline environmental characterisation of the site and environmental impact assessments for key ecological receptors.
Blue Gem Wind environmental specialist Sean Evans said: “It is important for us to begin long-lead in items such as bird and marine mammal surveys as early as possible.
“These surveys will provide crucial species specific data on the number, spatial distribution and activity of individuals across the Valorous site.
“This enables us to undertake robust environmental impact assessments ahead of our planned consent application submission in 2023.”