Fugro has begun offshore surveys in the Southern North Sea for an extension to the Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm.
Three vessels are carrying out environmental and geophysical surveys on the array site of the North Falls project and along potential cable routes.
North Falls is located approximately 20 kilometres from the East Anglia coast on a site covering a total of 150 km square km.
Together, Fugro Mercator and Fugro Seeker will conduct geophysical surveys of the seabed, while the Curtis Marshall will take benthic grab samples and drop-down camera photography of the seabed.
North Falls Project Manager Martin Whyte said that the surveys will enable the project team to assess local environmental conditions and identify and locate protected marine species and habitats, forming a baseline understanding of the area.
“From the environmental data and samples gathered we will be able to identify risks and impacts and develop plans for mitigation, while the survey results will also feed into the early design and engineering of the project’s offshore infrastructure.
“The information will also help to determine what type of further detailed survey works are likely to be required as the project progresses.”
The vessels will operate out of Harwich Port and it is expected the surveys will be completed by the late summer.
North Falls is owned equally by SSE Renewables and RWE Renewables, who have established a 50:50 joint venture company to develop the project.