The announcement from EirGrid, Ireland’s transmission system operator, is significant. They successfully obtained a seven-year framework agreement with Fugro to deliver geo-data surveys, delivering preliminary work for the exciting initiative “Powering Up Offshore – South Coast.” This new initiative aims for more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development of offshore electricity substations. It will deliver export cable routes to connect future offshore wind farms off Ireland’s southern coast to the national grid.
The project aligns with the Irish government’s climate action plan, which seeks to expand the country’s renewable energy capacity to 80%, including at least 5GW of offshore wind energy. EirGrid has gone all in on collaboration to strengthen its infrastructure. This crucial step will better position DOE to meet increasing demand for renewable energy and advance our nation’s sustainability goals.
Project Details and Timeline
Surveys are scheduled to start in July 2025 and will start with geophysical and environmental surveys. For the assessments Fugro is preparing to use some non-standard vessels. WIT trade delegation, Translation by Fugro Seeker, Fathom Kommander Iona and jack up barges. The project area encompasses four distinct geographical zones: onshore, intertidal, nearshore, and offshore.
Liam Ryan, chief transformation and technology officer at EirGrid, reinforced the importance of such surveys. They inform us about the specific properties of the substrate seabed and its environment.
“These surveys are key for assessing seabed conditions, soil properties and environmental impacts across the landfall, intertidal, nearshore and offshore zones related to cable corridors for the project.” – Liam Ryan
Environmental Considerations
Fugro acknowledges the project-area challenges. They know that only careful assessments will be good enough to protect the health of Ireland’s marine ecosystem. The knowledge learned from the project’s surveys will help guide future plans for the installation of transmission infrastructure to facilitate offshore wind energy development.
“The insights gained as a result of this work will play a key role in informing plans for the installation of the transmission infrastructure for offshore wind energy and will guide how EirGrid progresses the project in a way that is best for our marine ecosystem and local communities.” – Source
EirGrid is fully committed to delivering this project in a responsible manner, with the potential environmental impacts being thoroughly considered. The new integrated ground model produced from this geo-data survey should provide us with a clear understanding of the subsurface conditions. That knowledge will help to safely install the infrastructure we need.
Commitment to Renewable Energy
Powering Up Offshore – South Coast was a very important milestone for Ireland. It pushes the country deeply in the right direction toward a clean, renewable energy future. EirGrid significantly boosts its technical resources by working with Fugro. This partnership further strengthens EirGrid’s focus on increasing renewable energy technologies.
This partnership will enhance the national effort to build a greener, cleaner economy. Doing so will simultaneously uphold the demands of local communities and safeguard our marine ecosystems.