West of Orkney passes another milestone as surveys completed

The West of Orkney Windfarm has successfully completed surveys of the project’s seabed area, marking the achievement of a significant milestone ahead of applying for planning consent.

The nearshore geophysical survey was completed using the vessels Spectrum 1 and Spectrum Nyquist and a photogrammetry aerial drone.

The 2 GW project is a joint venture comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG) and is scheduled to be generating electricity by 2029.

The development team secured rights to develop the project in the ScotWind leasing round in January 2022, signing an option agreement in April 2022 – the same month Corio Generation launched as a global specialist offshore wind business.

After completing the seabed surveys, the team is looking to make an application for consent in 2023. The survey work involved geophysical and benthic surveys, as well as nearshore geophysical and geotechnical surveys.

“We are delighted the seabed survey work has been completed safely, on schedule and within budget, with no lost time incidents. This leaves the project ideally placed to advance our windfarm design and progress with our consent applications next year as planned,” said Stephen Kerr, Project Director of the West of Orkney Windfarm.

Mark Giulianotti, Head of Europe at Corio Generation said: “The conclusion of this offshore survey work is a great achievement by the West of Orkney Windfarm team. As this is one of Corio’s landmark development projects, we are proud to see the team making such solid progress, and grateful to all the contractors involved.

“We look forward to working with our development partners to deliver the project through consent and into construction. This situates the West of Orkney Windfarm at the vanguard of offshore wind projects awarded under the ScotWind leasing round.”

For more information, read the press release on the West of Orkney Windfarm website