Community Offshore Wind, a joint venture between RWE and National Grid Ventures, has selected Fugro to perform a geotechnical investigation in their lease area in the New York Bight. The site, with a potential to generate 3GW of offshore wind energy, could power more than one million homes, contributing significantly to the US energy transition.
The geotechnical work follows a site characterisation programme completed by Fugro in 2023, covering the 510 km² lease area and potential export cable corridors. This effort produced a preliminary earth model detailing geophysical and environmental conditions to support the wind farm's concept design.
Fugro's geotechnical investigation will refine this earth model through seabed sampling and ground condition testing to ensure safe and efficient engineering of the wind turbine foundations. “This survey work is a vital step forward that will ensure our projects are developed sustainably and responsibly,” said Doug Perkins, president and project director at Community Offshore Wind.
The programme, already underway, involves two vessels: one focusing on seabed sampling and downhole in situ testing, and the other on advanced seabed cone penetration tests (CPTs). For the CPT scope, Fugro is employing their SEACALF MkV Deep Drive system, known for fast, high-quality data acquisition with improved safety and reduced emissions—up to 40% compared to traditional technology. Additionally, Fugro's cloud-based Geo data engagement platform, VirGeo, facilitates near real-time data analysis, enabling quick decision-making and optimized field operations.
“Fugro is extremely proud that Community Offshore Wind has once again entrusted us to deliver the Geo-data and analysis needed to advance their offshore wind project in the New York Bight,” said Céline Gerson, Fugro's president and group director in the Americas. “Leveraging our extensive experience working on offshore renewable energy projects in the region and around the world, we're fully committed to supporting the significant contributions this project will bring to the US energy transition.”
