Geo-data specialist Fugro and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) have signed a contract to investigate the seabed in the Doordewind wind energy area. The geodata obtained should help make decisions about installing offshore wind farms.
Why soil research?
Soil research focuses on understanding the physical, chemical and biological properties of the seabed. This is essential information for identifying suitable locations and designing wind turbine foundations. For example, it becomes known which ground conditions must be taken into account when driving monopiles into the ground and where the cables can be laid. The studies will therefore help to remove risks from project developers.
RVO also wants to be able to make decisions regarding the ecosystem through the 2D research. Because although offshore wind energy offers significant environmental benefits through reduced CO2 emissions and air pollution, measures are taken that place as little burden on life at sea as possible.
Unknown bottom
RVO frequently hires Fugro for soil research. In addition to the contract for Doordewind, Fugro has conducted research for, among others, IJmuiden Ver Gamma, Nederwiek I, Nederwiek II, Nederwiek III, and Hollandse Kust West VIII. The decimeter-accurate 2D research is specifically important for Doordewind because the soil composition north of the Wadden Islands is different from the North Sea and is still relatively unknown.
Doordewind covers approximately 580 km2 and is expected to provide a total capacity of 4 GW, spread over two locations of 2 GW each. The first fieldwork starts in April 2004.
The graph below shows the cumulative capacity (GW) of offshore wind in the Netherlands. The scheme is based on the offshore wind energy development framework, National Government, dated October 27, 2023. The only park for which the delivery date is still unknown is Hollandse Kust West VIII. The cabinet is expected to make a decision on this in 2024.
Open source data hub
Most RVO studies are freely accessible. They will be put online by RVO in the near future and can be downloaded via the following open source platform: RVO — Offshore Wind Datahub (pleio.nl)
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