Fugro Kicks Off Sunrise Wind Site Characterization

Fugro has begun a site characterization program at the Sunrise Wind offshore wind project off the coast of New York.

Fugro has mobilized two vessels to carry out the operation which will involve acquisition and analysis of integrated geotechnical and geophysical data to support multiple phases of the project, including cable corridor selection and turbine foundation design and installation.

The company is managing the four-month program from its U.S. Centre of Expertise for Renewable Projects located in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Additionally, Fugro said it is using several proprietary technologies, including Back2Base, which enables the remote transfer of large datasets from offshore vessels to onshore processing facilities for near-real-time ground modelling via web application. 

Besides streamlining schedules and lowering costs, these digital innovations are said to help Fugro meet its goal of lowering carbon emissions by reducing the time required offshore, allowing surveys to be optimized into a single work season rather than two.

“We are pleased to continue with Ørsted and Eversource on the Sunrise Wind development this year. Working collaboratively with our clients in the offshore wind market has allowed Fugro to continuously introduce new innovations, tools and efficiencies that benefit our shared projects and sustainability aspirations,” said Said Ed Saade, Fugro’s Group Director for the Americas.

A joint venture of Ørsted and the U.S. Eversource Energy is developing the Sunrise Wind project approximately 30 miles east of Montauk Point, off Long Island.

The 880 MW wind farm will comprise Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167 DD turbines scheduled to be operational in 2024.