The Netherlands-based geo-data specialist Fugro has been awarded a 7-year framework agreement with EirGrid, Ireland’s state-owned electricity transmission operator, to deliver a full suite of Geo-data surveys for the “Powering Up Offshore – South Coast” project.
This initiative will develop offshore electricity substations and export cable routes to connect future wind farms along Ireland’s south coast to the Irish national grid.
Under the framework, Fugro states that it will provide desktop studies, geophysical, environmental, and geotechnical surveys.
According to Fugro, these investigations will result in a fully integrated ground model, giving EirGrid a detailed understanding of subsurface conditions for installing transmission infrastructure and protecting Ireland’s marine ecosystem.
The company also mentions that the operations are set to begin in July 2025, starting with the geophysical and environmental surveys.
The project area is complex, spanning four distinct geographical zones: onshore, intertidal, nearshore, and offshore, so to conduct operations in these areas, Fugro will deploy specialised offshore vessels, including the Fugro Seeker and Kommander Iona, as well as jack-up barges for shallow water activities.
Fugro informs that the company is also working closely with Irish-based suppliers to deliver key services, such as metocean data collection and aerial drone surveys, that enhance and complement its data insights.
