In preparation for the full construction of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) – also known as the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd. (AOWFL) – Vattenfall and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), the partners behind the project, say offshore work is beginning this week.
Specifically, a geotechnical site investigation will take place at each of the EOWDC’s 11 turbine locations to assess the seabed. The acquired data will inform the final design and micro-siting of the turbine foundations.
Full offshore construction is scheduled to start in late 2017 or early 2018, following an investment decision later this year. The facility will have an installed capacity of up to 100 MW.
Geotechnical and geophysical survey company Fugro is carrying out the site investigation work on behalf of AOWFL. The company will mobilize one of its geotechnical drilling vessels, the Bucentaur, to the EOWDC site about 2-5 km off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland. The work is due to be supplemented with geophysical surveys later this year.
“The EOWDC is a vital project for the northeast of Scotland and has reached an important point in its development,” notes Jenny Laing, Aberdeen city council leader. “It will help to deliver significant and long-term economic benefits to the region, and the opportunities for local energy companies will be substantial.”
