First ships soon to sail toward energy island

The two companies are Fugro and MMT. Their ships are loaded with seismic equipment to meticulously map the seabed under the more than 1,000 km² area in the North Sea where the artificial energy island and 3 GW of wind farms are to be built.

"The geophysical studies have to cover a very large area, and it’s important that they meet the time schedule. We are therefore pleased that two very experienced and professional companies, Fugro and MMT, will be performing the surveying in the North Sea," says Poul-Jacob Vilhelmsen, Project Manager for Energinet’s work on the future energy islands in Danish waters.

Together with other preliminary studies, the aim of the geophysical mapping of the seabed is to allow construction of the North Sea energy island, the surrounding offshore wind farms and seabed cables in a technically feasible manner that gives maximum consideration to nature and the environment.

Surveying to a depth of 100 metres into the seabed

The North Sea is relatively shallow – even 80-100 kilometres out at sea, where the artificial island and offshore wind farms are to be built. In the area to be surveyed, the sea is 25-50 metres deep. The relatively shallow sea depth and good wind conditions are what make the North Sea an ideal location for offshore wind farms, and now also an artificial energy island. A third important factor is that the seabed must be suitable for laying foundations for the around 200 offshore wind turbines initially planned, and the artificial island.

Each wind turbine will be an impressive edifice, with an expected height above sea level of up to 260 metres – taller than the pylons of the Great Belt Bridge. An artificial island will also be constructed. So, it easy to see why the surface of the seabed and the underlying layers (in which the foundations will be laid) need to be thoroughly surveyed and mapped.

Specialised ships from the two marine survey companies will therefore begin work in May, surveying and mapping the surface of the seabed and the geological layers underneath to a depth of 100 metres below the sea floor.

Ice ages, sea battles and boulders

The geophysical conditions on and below the seabed surface bear the marks of the region’s geological history, as well as past human activities.

Sand banks, reefs created by marine life and boulders are examples of geological elements that the ships from Fugro and MMT have to meticulously map.

But the ships are also expected to encounter shipwrecks in the region from the largest naval battle in history – the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and have to identify unexploded ordnance (mostly bombs and mines from World War II).

The man-made conditions on the seabed to be mapped also include existing submarine cables and pipelines, and more recent impacts such as waste, fishing equipment, grooves in the seabed from ship anchors, etc.

The geophysical surveys and subsequent drilling samples will be used to produce a detailed digital map of the seabed and underlying geological layers throughout the area under the future artificial energy island in the North Sea and surrounding offshore wind farms.

Energy island in the North Sea

• An energy island is a hub for large volumes of energy from offshore wind power. From the energy island, the energy is converted and forwarded to several countries.
• The energy island in the North Sea will initially produce 3 GW of offshore wind power, increasing to 10 GW later on. 1 GW corresponds to the electricity needs of 1 million households.
• The energy island in the North Sea will be an artificial island consisting of one or more types of caissons 80 km off the Danish coast, and initially covering an area corresponding to 18 football fields. 
• Around 200 offshore wind turbines will produce 3 GW during the first phase, once the energy island is in operation. The wind turbines will presumably be taller than any seen to date, possibly up to 260 metres tall.
• The investment cost of the North Sea energy island is estimated to total EUR 28 billion, which includes 10 GW of offshore wind farms, electrical installations on the island and power transport cables to land.