Geotechnical survey of seabed to take place for wind farm project

It's expected to take place over six to eight days from 20 June

A geotechnical seabed survey is to take place later this month as part of development work for the proposed Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm off the north-east coast of the Island.

It's expected to take place over six to eight days from 20 June and will involve testing areas of seabed to determine the geotechnical engineering properties of the soil. 

A total of 20 seafloor cone penetration tests - or CPT's - and 20 dissipations tests will be carried out. 

For the CPT a small cone with a diameter of around 4cm is pushed into the seabed to measure the resistance and friction of the different soil layers. 

Orsted stresses that the impact on the seabed is minimal, affecting a very small, localised area with the seabed naturally settling back after the test is completed.

The work's being carried out by GEO, a company with expertise in conducting offshore surveys across the global energy industry, and they have worked with Orsted on previous projects. 

Orsted, who will fund the work says it's expected to cost around £2 million.