Fugro secures seven-year frame agreement for offshore wind site surveys in Ireland

Fugro has been awarded a seven-year framework agreement with EirGrid, Ireland’s state-owned electricity transmission operator, to deliver a full suite of geo-data surveys for EirGrid's offshore electricity substations project.

Fugro said this initiative will develop offshore electricity substations and export cable routes to connect future wind farms along Ireland’s south coast to the Irish national grid.

The company added that its geo-data insights will aid in the selection of optimal routes and engineering designs, thus reducing project risks and promoting, "safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible development."

Under the framework, Fugro will provide desktop studies as well as geophysical, environmental and geotechnical surveys. These investigations will result in a fully integrated ground model, giving EirGrid a detailed understanding of subsurface conditions for installing transmission infrastructure.

Operations are set to begin in July 2025, starting with the geophysical and environmental surveys. All geo-data will be delivered through Fugro's proprietary cloud-based geo-data platform, which offers secure, real-time access to data and project insights to enhance collaboration across stakeholders.

Fugro said the project area is complex, spanning four distinct geographical zones: onshore, intertidal, nearshore, and offshore. To conduct operations in these areas, the company will deploy specialised offshore vessels, including the survey boat Fugro Seeker and the research vessel Kommandor Iona, as well as jackup barges for shallow water activities.