RWE has begun a site investigation campaign for a floating wind project off the coast of northern California, US.
For the 1.6GW Canopy offshore wind project, RWE has contracted Argeo to lead the survey work with equipment that includes an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).
The survey will gather data about the federal lease area and the area between the lease and shore in federal waters for what will be RWE’s first commercial floating wind farm, for which the developer secured the lease area for in 2022.
Canopy plans to conduct initial site investigation surveys during 2024 and 2025, with the first activities beginning this month.
Canopy is expected to be in operation by the mid-2030s, contingent upon the permitting and regulatory timeline.
By comprehensively ‘mapping’ the seafloor, the project will begin to “assess the best locations for installing wind turbines, anchors and electric cables and better understand biodiversity, habitats and other environmental factors to ensure responsible planning and design that minimises the impact on ocean ecosystems”.
“Surveying is an important step on the path toward developing Canopy Offshore Wind and helping provide clean energy that meets California’s ambitious climate goals,” said Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind Holdings.
“RWE is committed to responsible, inclusive development by engaging Humboldt residents, Tribal Nations, and working closely with the fishing community as we begin offshore activities on the project.”
Argeo, a subsea service provider, has supported development of clean energy projects around the world.
Dave Gentle, Vice President for North and South America at Argeo, said: “With extensive experience in ocean surveying, Argeo is well-equipped to deliver comprehensive and detailed site information.
“We look forward to working with RWE on this significant initiative.”
An AUV will be deployed due to the water depths in the lease area off the Pacific Coast of the US.
As the survey platform during this initial site characterization, the UAV will enable high-quality data collection close to the seafloor, including photographs of biological communities.
The sensors carried by the AUV operate at safe sound levels and meet California low energy equipment requirements for geophysical surveys that are in place to minimise impacts to marine mammals and other wildlife.
In compliance with US permitting requirements and to ensure the project is developed in a responsible and safe manner, Canopy survey work will use certified, independent, PSOs on survey vessels on duty 24 hours a day to detect and avoid marine mammals during survey activities and to collect visual observation data on marine wildlife.
RWE has selected Geo SubSea and Coastal 35 Consulting to provide PSOs on survey vessels and Smultea Sciences to deliver PSO training to Tribal citizens and Humboldt County community members to increase the involvement and workforce opportunities for individuals who possess local and Indigenous knowledge of the area during the site investigation campaign.
“Protected Species Observers are an essential part of ensuring site surveys occur safely in a way that avoids interactions with wildlife,” said Jeff Gardner, President of Geo SubSea.
“They are an important way to ensure offshore wind surveys are conducted in a manner that results in minimal disturbance to the marine ecosystem,” he added.