Following the completion of phase three ground investigation works across the Green Volt onshore cable route in recent weeks, the project team has now commenced geophysical investigations in the nearshore area of the Green Volt offshore windfarm export cable corridor.
Leading offshore wind developers Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn are delivering Green Volt, a 560 MW floating windfarm 75km off the Aberdeenshire coast which is set to become the world’s largest commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm.
Green Volt is carrying out a series of environmental and geophysical surveys within the nearshore area of its export cable corridor, in the vicinity of the landfall location at St Fergus South beach in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. These surveys are being undertaken to gather data and gain a better understanding of seabed conditions, which will play a key role in informing the project's detailed design.
The surveys are being supported by Spectrum 1 and Spectrum Nyquist, specialist survey vessels provided by Spectrum Offshore and equipped to support geophysical and environmental survey activity.
Mobilisation took place on 22 July 2026, and the vessels are expected to be on location for approximately seven weeks. It is hoped that the work will be completed by early September, though the surveys are subject to weather conditions and dates may change.
A minimum exclusion distance of 500 metres is in place around the survey vessels whilst operations are underway because of their towed equipment. Fishing vessels working in the area have been informed of the work, and a Notice to Mariners has been issued for information to ensure other marine users are aware.
A spokesperson for the Green Volt project said: “Following the successful completion of the recent phase of onshore site investigations for the project, we are pleased to have now successfully mobilised this programme of geophysical investigations in the nearshore area.
"We are grateful to the local fishing vessel operators and other marine users who have been working with our team in recent months to plan gear clearance and agree mitigations to enable these works to take place.
"The information gathered via these nearshore surveys will play an essential role in informing the project's detailed design, so this work is key to the delivery phase."