Ground data gathered by Fugro will support safe installation of turbine foundations at one of Ireland’s first commercial offshore wind farms.
Fugro has secured a contract from Oriel Windfarm Ltd to carry out a detailed geotechnical site investigation for the proposed Oriel offshore wind farm off the coast of County Louth, Ireland. The work will provide critical ground data to inform the design and installation of foundations for the project’s 25 offshore wind turbines, supporting safe and efficient construction.
Planned as a 375 MW development, Oriel is expected to be among Ireland’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farms. The project is being jointly developed by JERA Nex bp and Irish semi-state utility ESB.
Fugro’s winter geotechnical campaign is already underway following the mobilisation of the Fugro Voyager. Located in a technically demanding area of the Irish Sea, the Oriel site requires careful planning, experienced offshore delivery and proven seabed investigation technology to ensure safe and reliable data acquisition.
The Fugro Voyager is equipped with Fugro’s advanced SEADEVIL® coring system, designed to recover high-quality, undisturbed soil samples in complex offshore environments. Working in water depths of up to 33 metres, the investigation includes cone penetration testing, wireline geophysics and laboratory analysis at its Wallingford facility. The resulting Geo-data will support foundation design and help reduce installation risk as the project progresses.
Garrett Connell, Ireland Country Manager at JERA Nex bp said: “Partnering with Fugro on this geotechnical survey campaign represents an important milestone, enabling us to progress our detailed project design and bringing us closer to realising the Oriel project and contributing to Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions.”
Remmelt de Jong, Fugro’s Regional Business Line Director for Marine Site Characterisation in Europe and Africa said: “Early access to high-quality Geo-data is critical for projects of this scale. By understanding the site’s ground profile, Oriel Windfarm can make informed decisions that support the long-term performance of offshore wind assets. We’re proud to bring our expertise to such an important project and help accelerate Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.”
This contract award reflects a strong collaborative relationship between Fugro and the Oriel wind farm team, as Fugro works closely with the project team to deliver innovative solutions that meet the project’s unique challenges.
