Fugro, the Dutch company specializing in marine surveys, has signed a new contract with the German transmission system operator 50Hertz. The aim of this contract is to survey and clear unexploded ordnance along the route of two offshore wind grid connections in the North Sea. This project is considered a significant step towards the development of renewable energy in Germany.
Project Details and Energy Capacity
The contract includes two high-voltage direct connections named LanWin3 and LanWin6, each designed to transmit up to 2GW of offshore wind energy to the German power grid. In total, these two connections provide a capacity of 4GW. Marine surveys are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and will include 200-meter corridors along both cable routes.
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Equipment and Methods Used
Fugro will use two Geowing magnetic gravimetric systems to identify unexploded ordnance and other objects on the seabed. Each system is equipped with ten sensors that allow for precise object identification. The data obtained from these surveys will identify targets that require further investigation before the cables are installed.
Follow-up activities in 2028 will include remote vehicle inspections, identification of suspicious objects, and debris clearance. Fugro will also provide services for the clearance and disposal of unexploded ordnance. Ronny Bøhn, Fugro's manager for marine geophysics in Europe and Africa, emphasized that the initial seabed investigations will help 50Hertz better understand potential hazards and manage risks during the cable installation program.
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