Sofia Offshore Wind Farm: Pre-Construction Benthic Survey and Advisory Services

We have been instrumental in the development of the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, a 1.4 GW project situated approximately 165 km offshore on the Dogger Bank in the North Sea. Initially appointed by Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Limited in late 2018 as marine ecological consultants, we have provided specialist advice and services throughout the project’s progression.

Advisory and Consultancy Services

Our contributions have encompassed:

• Development of the Benthic Monitoring Plan: Crafting a comprehensive plan to monitor seabed habitats and species.
• Mapping Sensitive Seabed Habitats: Identifying and documenting critical habitats to inform project planning.
• Export Cable Routing: Advising on cable routes to minimise environmental impacts during installation.

Pre-Construction Benthic Surveys

In 2021, as part of the pre-construction phase, we conducted extensive benthic surveys:

• Offshore Surveys: Aboard the 26m DSV Curtis Marshall, operating from Hartlepool, England, we collected underwater imagery and benthic grab samples for macrobenthic and Particle Size Distribution analysis.
• Nearshore Surveys: Conducted earlier in 2021 along the export cable corridor to ensure a holistic environmental characterisation.

These efforts provided critical baseline data on seabed habitats and species, supporting the effective implementation of the benthic monitoring plan and ensuring responsible environmental management throughout the project’s construction and operational phases.

We are proud to have played a pivotal role in advancing the UK’s renewable energy goals while safeguarding marine ecosystems.