Dutch geo-data specialist Fugro has secured a seven-year framework agreement with Ireland’s electricity transmission operator EirGrid to deliver a range of marine and environmental surveys for the “Powering Up Offshore – South Coast” initiative.
The project aims to develop offshore electricity substations and export cable routes to connect planned wind farms along Ireland’s south coast to the national grid.
Under the agreement, Fugro will provide desktop studies, along with geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveys. The data will support engineering design and site selection while helping reduce project risk and ensure environmentally responsible development.
“We’re proud to support EirGrid in delivering critical infrastructure for Ireland’s offshore energy future,” said John ten Hoope, Fugro’s regional business line director for marine site characterisation in Europe and Africa. “By providing end-to-end geo-data solutions delivered efficiently through our advanced technologies and local collaborations, we are setting the foundation for safe, sustainable, and accelerated offshore wind development along the south coast.”
Field operations are scheduled to begin this month, starting with geophysical and environmental surveys. Fugro will use its cloud-based VirGeo® platform to deliver real-time geo-data and insights, facilitating collaboration among project stakeholders.
The survey area covers four geographic zones – onshore, intertidal, nearshore and offshore – requiring a range of equipment including offshore vessels such as the Fugro Seeker and Kommander Iona, as well as jack-up barges for shallow waters.
Fugro said it is working with Irish-based suppliers to provide services including metocean data collection and drone surveys, supporting local economic activity.
The initiative forms part of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, which targets 80% renewable electricity by 2030, including at least 5 gigawatts of offshore wind. Grid infrastructure projects like this are viewed as essential to integrating renewable generation into the national energy system.
