The Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) has contracted Fugro to perform a geotechnical investigation for the future offshore substations (OSS) at two floating wind farm sites in the Gulf of Lion in the Mediterranean Sea. OSS is an essential component of wind farms as it collects the electrical energy produced in wind turbines and converts it to high voltage before transferring it onshore via export cables. The data acquired by Fugro will provide insight into seabed conditions, enabling reliable and efficient OSS design while also de-risking the project’s future developmental phases.
Fugro has mobilized its Gargano vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art drilling, sampling, and cone penetration testing equipment, following a thorough evaluation of environmental impacts. Fugro will perform a series of deep geotechnical boreholes to gather data on the ground conditions for OSS foundations.
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The resulting geotechnical data from Fugro’s investigations will be used to develop a comprehensive ground model that includes the integration of previously acquired geophysical data. This information will be used by RTE and developers as input for future tenders and OSS designs.
Denys Borel, Fugro’s Commercial Manager France, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded this key project for the development of floating wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea. Our vast technical expertise and resources ensure timely delivery of the preliminary geotechnical data, which will be instrumental in advancing the OSS design process. We are committed to supporting the French government in achieving its sustainability goals and look forward to contributing to the success of this important renewable energy initiative.”
These offshore developments are part of the French government’s plan to accelerate the growth of offshore wind power in France, with each of the two sites having a capacity of 750 MW. Fugro’s involvement in this project highlights its commitment to renewable energy initiatives and its technical expertise in geotechnical investigations.
