Danish transmission system operator Energinet has contracted Fugro and MMT to carry out seabed surveys for the planned artificial energy island in the North Sea.
The geophysical surveys will start in May and cover over 1000km square, Energinet said.
The surveys, together with later drilling samples, will result in a detailed, digital mapping of the seabed and the geological layers up to 100 metres below ground, it added.
Fugro said it will perform geophysical and unexploded ordnance magnetometry surveys from May to November 2021, resuming in February and March 2022.
Phase one will deliver the geophysical surveys, including seabed sampling and soil data, while the second phase will be the UXO magnetometry survey, using Fugro’s dedicated Geowing solution.
Fugro’s offshore wind consultancy teams will use the acquired data to provide a derisked site interpretation.
Up to 200 offshore wind turbines initially and the artificial island are planned to be built in the area, Energinet said.
Energinet project manager for energy islands Poul-Jacob Vilhelmsen said: “The geophysical surveys must cover a very large area and it is important that the schedule is kept.
“Therefore, we are pleased that it is two very experienced and professional companies such as Fugro and MMT that will carry out the investigations at sea in the North Sea in the near future.”
Fugro commercial manager Rinse Jansch said: “This latest award from Energinet underlines our commitment to supporting the offshore wind industry in the global energy transition and shows that quality and technical innovation wins contracts.
“Our innovative ultra high resolution subsoil Geo-data solutions will help future wind farm owners derisk the development and deliver cost-effective green energy to up to 10 million European households.”
The artificial energy island in the North Sea is planned to deliver 3GW of offshore wind initially, rising to 10GW later.