Orsted is continuing development work on the Isle of Man’s first offshore wind farm project with the deployment of a wave measurement buoy and subsea temperature monitoring device in the waters off the east coast of the island.
Contractors Fugro installed the device last week within the area for lease granted by the Isle of Man government to Orsted in 2015.
The deployment of the Seawatch Midi hardware, is the latest step in the ongoing survey and exploration work at the proposed site, approximately 6-12 miles off the coast to determine its suitability for an offshore wind farm.
The buoy will gather data for the first time on water temperature to the east of the Isle of Man. It is hoped this information will be used by stakeholders across the Island to track trends and monitor the growing impact on the marine environment from global climate change.
“The deployment of this device off the east coast of the Isle of Man is just part of the wide range of surveys that we have been carrying out over the years as we design this project,” said Orsted development director John Galloway.
“We’re extremely proud that we’ve been able to repurpose and reuse a wave measurement buoy from one of our existing Irish Sea projects – yet another signal of Orsted’s commitment to sustainability and driving down the cost of offshore wind.”
Fugro has over 100 data buoys presently deployed around Europe, including 10 for Orsted. The two companies have worked together for over 12 years and Fugro was pleased to be asked to expand the capabilities of this buoy.
Earlier this year, Orsted opened its Isle of Man office in Athol Street, Douglas, to serve as the hub for the company’s further development of renewable energy projects in the Irish Sea.