Fugro has signed a contract with 50Hertz to provide survey, identification, and clearance services for unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the offshore grid connection projects LanWin3 and LanWin6 in the German North Sea.
Project Objective
This work will assist 50Hertz in preparing safe routes for the installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables that connect offshore wind farms to Germany's power grid by identifying and mitigating potential hazards. The LanWin3 and LanWin6 projects are part of the expansion of Germany's offshore wind energy infrastructure. Upon completion, each grid connection is designed to transmit up to 2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, bringing the total transmission capacity to 4 gigawatts and facilitating greater renewable electricity transfer from the North Sea to the national grid.
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Unexploded Ordnance Survey Details
The survey of unexploded ordnance will begin in the second half of 2027 and will cover 200-meter corridors along the LanWin3 and LanWin6 routes. This will be conducted using two Geowing systems, Fugro's fixed magnetic gradiometer arrays, each equipped with ten magnetic sensors to detect unexploded ordnance and other objects on or beneath the seabed.
This survey will provide the necessary geographic data to map potential targets and create a master target list for further investigations. Subsequent inspection and identification activities will take place in 2028 using remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology and specialized identification systems to examine selected targets and remove debris if necessary.
Fugro will also support the safe removal and disposal of any confirmed unexploded ordnance in accordance with legal requirements and assist in preparing cable corridors for installation.
Ronny Bøhn, Fugro's Marine Geoscience Manager for Europe and Africa, stated: "In a project of this scale, the challenge is that the quantity and nature of unexploded ordnance can only be identified after the survey is completed. Creating a reliable picture of the seabed in the early stages allows 50Hertz to plan subsequent phases with greater confidence and manage safety throughout the cable installation program."
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