Geophysical Survey Underway at Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm Site

February 26, 2025, by Adnan Memija

Geophysical survey operations and a static fishing gear survey are taking place within the Inch Cape offshore wind farm site and its associated export cable corridor from 19 February until the end of April.

On behalf of Inch Cape Offshore Limited, a joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables, the Dutch company N-Sea is carrying out a geophysical survey in the areas of the Inch Cape site and export cable corridor in Scotland.

Survey activities commenced within the export cable corridor, while the static fishing gear scout survey is planned to commence within the wind farm in the vicinity of the offshore substation location and move inshore as weather conditions allow, according to the latest notice to mariners from the project.

The survey will use sensors and towed equipment to assess seafloor conditions and locate boulders or unexploded ordnance (UXO) that need removal before installing cables and wind turbines.

N-Sea’s Geo Ranger vessel arrived at the site on or around 19 February. The survey operations are expected to be completed by the end of April 2025.

The scout survey vessel Solstice BF56 is planned to arrive in the area when the weather allows, with scouting operations planned to be finished in three days, according to the notice to mariners.

Located in the North Sea 15 kilometres off the Angus coast, the Inch Cape offshore wind farm will be the first UK project to use Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines.

The 1,080 MW wind farm will comprise 72 units installed on a mix of monopile and jacket foundations, a single offshore substation platform, and two 85-kilometre AC export cables, delivering power to an onshore substation, currently under construction at Cockenzie, East Lothian.