Survey Other Start

In November 2023, the Salamander joint venture between Ørsted, Simply Blue Group, and Subsea7 initiated a major metocean and environmental monitoring campaign for its proposed floating offshore wind farm off the northeast coast of Scotland. As reported by OffshoreWIND.biz, Salamander launched floating LiDAR systems and wave buoys on site as part of this campaign, marking the formal start of in situ metocean data collection distinct from the earlier 2022 geophysical and benthic survey works. These floating measurement platforms are deployed to capture detailed information on wind, wave, and ocean conditions across the project area. The metocean survey is being carried out by Fugro under a contract announced in August 2023, when the company was selected to conduct a year-long programme for Salamander. The survey is planned to run for approximately twelve months, generating meteorological, oceanographic, and related environmental datasets that will feed directly into the project’s engineering design, optimisation, and risk assessment. This deployment phase therefore represents a key early-development milestone, providing site-specific evidence to refine the floating foundation concept, layout, and overall technical strategy. By progressing from desktop studies and geophysical/benthic campaigns to full metocean monitoring with floating LiDAR and wave buoys, the Salamander partners are advancing the project towards detailed design and consenting. The data gathered will support both technical decision-making and environmental assessments, strengthening the evidence base required for a 100 MW pre-commercial floating wind scheme in Scottish waters.