Geotechnical seabed survey commences at Ørsted’s Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm site in Isle of Man waters.
Ørsted has appointed GEO to execute the survey six to twelve nautical miles from Maughold. The Danish offshore wind developer secured the lease from the Isle of Man government. GEO’s Connector survey vessel will be utilized for this geotechnical investigation.
Weather permitting, the survey is expected to last six to eight days. The entire cost, approximately GBP 2 million (EUR 2.3 million), will be funded by Ørsted.
The survey aims to assess the seabed’s geotechnical engineering properties through 20 seafloor Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) and 20 dissipation tests. During the CPT, a four-centimetre diameter cone is pushed into the seabed to measure soil resistance and friction.
Ørsted assures minimal impact on the seabed, as the test affects only a small, localized area, which will naturally settle after completion.
“We’re delighted to collaborate with GEO, respected for their offshore survey expertise,” said Richard Watson, Technical Director for Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm.
“Although the wind farm is subject to Isle of Man planning consent, gathering geotechnical data now is vital to meet the projected operational start date of 2031-2033.”
Ørsted plans the first offshore wind farm in Isle of Man’s waters off Maughold Head. They applied for Marine Infrastructure Consent for the Mooir Vannin Generation Project in March 2025.
The connection point for the potential 1.4 GW offshore wind farm will be in Penwortham, Lancashire, UK, and the Douglas area in the Isle of Man.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz