SSE is to run a hydrographic and geophysical survey campaign this summer for the proposed 520MW Arklow Bank 2 wind farm off the east coast of Ireland.
The developer will begin the up to four-month job next month, weather dependent, according to a marine notice.
Surveys will be carried out from aboard two vessels, AMS Panther and AMS Retriever, both of which will be operating for 24 hours a day.
The wind farm is to be located off Arklow, County Wicklow, with the vessels operating in waters stretching from Wicklow Head to the north to south of the array area.
Construction of the wind farm is proposed in the 2020s, subject to securing capacity in Irish support scheme RESS.
SSE has a lease in hand for up to 200 turbines at the site adjacent to the 25MW Arklow Bank 1, which entered service in 2004 and is currently Ireland’s only offshore wind farm.