The West of Orkney Wind Farm project, a collaboration between Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG), has achieved a crucial milestone with the successful completion of offshore geotechnical and geophysical survey campaigns. Situated 25 kilometers north of the Sutherland coast and 30 kilometers west of Orkney, this venture is set to significantly contribute to Scotland's renewable energy landscape.
The valuable data obtained from these surveys will play a pivotal role in supporting the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase of the project. The West of Orkney Wind Farm is poised to feature up to 125 fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines, making it a flagship development in the region.
Geoquip Marine, operating from Scrabster Harbour aboard the vessel Dina Polaris, served as the offshore geotechnical contractor for this undertaking. Over the course of 65 vessel days, the team completed 23 composite sampling and testing boreholes, reaching depths ranging from 10 meters to 90 meters below the seafloor.
Gardline, operating from Aberdeen and the Port of Leith aboard the vessel Ocean Endeavour, undertook the offshore geophysical survey. This 55-day campaign collected Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) and Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) data, contributing valuable insights for the project's development.
In a highly competitive process, the joint venture secured development rights to a seabed area from Crown Estate Scotland during the ScotWind leasing round last year. The West of Orkney Wind Farm is expected to boast a capacity of approximately two gigawatts, with plans to deliver its first power in 2029.
These recent surveys follow a successful campaign in 2022, which encompassed a range of studies, including nearshore geophysical, offshore geophysical, geotechnical, and onshore geotechnical surveys, as well as ornithology and marine mammal studies.
With the data gathered from these comprehensive surveys, it is anticipated that the developers will proceed to submit offshore and onshore consent applications to Scottish Ministers and The Highland Council later this year. These applications mark the next crucial steps in advancing the West of Orkney Wind Farm project.
Project Director of the West of Orkney Wind Farm, Stephen Kerr, expressed his gratitude to the dedicated survey management team, advisors, and contractors involved in the campaigns. He also acknowledged the support from various stakeholders, emphasizing the positive engagement with local communities and authorities throughout the project's development journey.
