SouthCoast Wind is to undertake surveys of the lease area for its proposed offshore wind project off the US east coast.
SouthCoast Wind, a 50:50 joint venture between Shell New Energies US and Ocean Winds North America, is developing an offshore wind lease area with the potential to host 2.4GW of capacity off New England.
A geotechnical site survey begins this month and a geophysical site investigation later this spring.
Fugro is conducting the geotechnical survey using the Fugro Explorer vessel.
The following notices have been issued for the geotechnical survey: a Local Notice to Mariners to the US Coast Guard and a Notice to Fleet Command to the US Navy.
SouthCoast Wind is working closely with local fisheries over the duration of the survey work to avoid any disruptions to their operations.
Environmental monitors will be participating during the survey work to watch for the presence of marine mammals and other aquatic life, and to implement protective mitigation measures where needed.
The survey work will study seabed conditions in the wind lease area and provide details on the soil conditions for the wind turbine and offshore substation platform foundations.
“Kicking off this year’s survey work is an important activity for our project,” said Jennifer Flood, Permitting Director, SouthCoast Wind.
“The site-specific technical data collected will enable us to advance engineering and design solutions for the project while minimizing environmental effects within the lease area.”