Seabed ecology survey scheduled at Sofia offshore wind farm

Ocean Ecology is about to start a seabed habitat survey for the proposed Sofia offshore wind farm site off the UK’S North East coast.

The company will carry out seabed camera, grab sampling and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) surveys within the offshore wind farm array area, along its export cable route and several reference locations.

The survey is scheduled to begin on 27 July and last for approximately one month, depending on the prevailing weather conditions and work progress.

Environmental surveys with a subsea camera system, grab sampler and BRUV housing and frame will be undertaken aboard the dive support vessel (DSV) Curtis Marshall.

In March, RWE made the financial investment decision for the 1.4 GW offshore wind farm project. The 100% RWE-owned project represents a total investment of approximately € 3.48 billion.

Shortly after, Prysmian Group and RWE Renewables finalised the contract for the development of the high voltage submarine and land export cable connection of the offshore wind farm.

Sofia, located on Dogger Bank, 195 kilometers from the nearest point on the UK’s North East coast, will feature 100 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines.

Offshore construction will kick off in 2023, with commissioning of the 1.4 GW project expected by the fourth quarter of 2026.