Global geo-data specialist Fugro has secured a pivotal contract for seabed surveys as part of the initial major phase of development for RWE's Awel y Mor offshore wind farm in Wales, with a capacity of 1100MW. The comprehensive survey involves the deployment of the Seafox 7 jackup, which has embarked on a six-month mission off the north Wales coast to gather crucial borehole samples from the seabed.
These samples will be instrumental in mapping the underlying geology, enabling the Awel y Mor team to refine turbine installation methodologies and optimize site locations. This key step in the development process follows the issuance of a marine license by Natural Resource Wales earlier this year.
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RWE, in collaboration with project partners Stadtwerke München (30%) and Siemens Financial Services (10%), is spearheading the development of Awel y Mor. Tamsyn Rowe, RWE's project lead for Awel y Mor, highlighted the significance of this initial contract, marking the commencement of the necessary groundwork for the construction phase.
The seabed in Liverpool Bay, where the offshore wind farm is situated, presents a unique geological landscape shaped by the last ice age, with varying layers of harder and softer rocks. Rowe emphasized the project's potential for learning more about the surroundings and the ensuing engineering challenges, leveraging RWE's track record of innovation in offshore wind projects.
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Fugro's nearshore regional service line director for Europe and Africa, Matthew Chappell, expressed pride in the company's role in this milestone for the Awel y Mor offshore wind farm. Chappell noted that Fugro's expertise in nearshore seabed site investigations and geological sampling will play a critical role in assisting the Awel y Mor team in making informed decisions about site locations and refining turbine installation methods.
