The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is tendering for environmental surveying in relation to a potential floating offshore wind project in the Atlantic Ocean.
SEAI is inviting proposals from suitably qualified individuals or organisations for the provision of marine ecology services at the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) off the coast of County Mayo.
A floating wind turbine is planned for installation and operation in the AMETS area, located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet.
The site was previously consented under a proposed development by SEAI for the development of a test site for full-scale wave energy converters.
Under the original consenting of AMETS, environmental studies undertaken included a flora and fauna assessment for the purposes of an environmental impact assessment.
To facilitate the development of AMETS as part of the current proposal for floating offshore wind, SEAI has a requirement for updated assessments, which may include surveying, for the marine ecology environment.
SEAI’s request for tender is divided into three lots: ornithology, marine mammals and benthos.
The proposal for the desk-based analysis review should cover all available data for the study area, including that completed for the AMETS project and should identify gaps between the existing baseline data and that required to facilitate deployment of a turbine.
The contract duration is 27 months and the value is €320,000.