Fugro has been selected by Orsted to conduct a 12-month floating lidar measurement campaign for its Gippsland offshore wind farms, located off the south coast of Gippsland, Victoria. The campaign will employ Fugro's SEAWATCH Wind Lidar Buoy to gather critical wind, wave, current, and meteorological data, helping Orsted assess the viability of its wind farm projects in the region.
The SEAWATCH Wind Lidar Buoy captures highly accurate measurements of wind speed and direction up to 300 meters above sea level. The system is the first to receive a Stage 3 rating, meeting the Carbon Trust's criteria for the commercial acceptance of floating lidar technology. This certification underscores its reliability for generating wind speed data necessary for investment decisions in offshore wind farm development.
Fugro will transfer high-quality metocean data in real-time to Orsted, offering early insights into site conditions, followed by comprehensive monthly reports. Fugro's local supply chain will oversee equipment provision, installation, operations, and maintenance, delivering a complete turnkey solution.
Albert Quan, Orsted's Head of Market Development for Australia, commented, “This is a key step in getting our Gippsland project development well and truly underway. By developing a deep understanding of the metocean conditions, we will be able to design a world-class project to maximise the amount of green energy and value delivered for Victoria.”
Simon Foster, Pacific Service Line Manager at Fugro, added, “We are excited to partner with Orsted on this project. The Orsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy; this aligns perfectly with Fugro's purpose to create a safe and liveable world. Our extensive track record in collecting metocean data across Australia and globally ensures that we are well-equipped to contribute valuable insights to this project.”
