Site Investigations Begin at 3.1 GW East Anglia Hub

Fugro has begun carrying out site characterization work at ScottishPower Renewables’ 3.1 GW East Anglia Hub project in the UK.

Fugro started the geophysical survey phase in July with UXO surveys, after which bathymetric and sub-bottom profiler surveys across the site and export cable routes will follow.

The results from the site characterization will feed into ground models for the project and support seabed mobility assessment, foundation design and cable-route engineering.

Data processing and reporting will be completed in Fugro’s UK and Netherlands offices.

Geotechnical investigation of the turbine locations will start later this summer and will consist of ultra-deep seabed cone penetration tests (CPTs) using Fugro’s SEACALF Mk V DeepDrive CPT system, downhole and seismic CPTs, geotechnical sampling, and geophysical borehole logging.

Shallow geotechnical testing and sampling will be performed along the export cable routes, while standard and advanced soil testing will take place at Fugro’s soil laboratory testing facility in Wallingford, UK, the company said.

The site investigations are scheduled to finish at the end of 2021.

“This is a significant and exciting project for Fugro that will see us deploying multiple geophysical and geotechnical vessels from our fleet to the East Anglia Hub for the next 2 years,” said Richard Hill, Fugro’s proposal manager for the project.

Last year, ScottishPower Renewables combined the East Anglia One North, East Anglia Two and East Anglia Three projects into one 3.1 GW development.

The development is expected to feature 263 turbines spread at an area of more than 800km2.