Fugro Starts Geotechnical Survey Work for 1.4 GW Berwick Bank B Offshore Wind Farm

Fugro has started geotechnical survey work for the Berwick Bank offshore wind project under a contract the company was awarded by SSE Renewables.

The contract covers geotechnical investigations for Berwick Bank B, the second phase of the wider 4.1 GW offshore wind development in Scotland, planned to be built in the outer Firth of Forth off the East Lothian coast.

According to the developer, the full Berwick Bank project is being developed across three phases and, if fully built out, could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, capable of generating enough electricity to power more than six million homes annually.

SSE secured a Contract for Difference (CfD) for the 1.4 GW Berwick Bank B in the UK’s Allocation Round 7 (AR7) at the beginning of this year.

Under the contract with SSE, Fugro will carry out a full geotechnical investigation campaign to support the design of fixed-bottom turbine foundations at Berwick Bank B. The company said boreholes will be drilled up to 50 metres below the seabed to collect soil and rock samples for foundation engineering studies.

The work is being performed by the vessels Fugro Quest and Fugro Zenith using specialist coring and conventional sampling techniques suited to the site’s seabed conditions.

Fugro said the new award builds on its ongoing involvement in the project, where it has been carrying out surveys since 2019.

“The commencement of a geotechnical investigation campaign to inform the final design of Berwick Bank B’s turbine foundations is an important milestone and demonstrates our commitment at SSE to disciplined and derisked project delivery”, said Gordon Rae, Geotechnical Package Manager for Berwick Bank at SSE Renewables.

“As we progress the project towards the final investment decision (FID), we are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with Fugro and look forward to delivering a safe and successful geotechnical investigation programme at Berwick Bank B.”

In January, SSE said that it expects to reach the final investment decision for Berwick Bank B in 2027, and that the remaining two phases of Berwick Bank were available for entry into upcoming auction rounds.