For the coming couple of months, a mobile drilling platform, a Jack-Up, will be performing drilling and testing at the 11 turbine locations in the Lillebælt South wind farm, planned to produce clean energy from 2029.
The aim of these geotechnical surveys is to obtain detailed knowledge of the seabed so that turbine foundations can be planned accurately and safely.
“We are entering this important stage of further measurement of the seabed that we need for the actual design and construction phase of the turbine placement and the cable route to shore. Both the geophysical surveys, with 3D measurement, and the geotechnical surveys with test drillings are progressing as planned, and we expect to have the full data result by the end of the year,” said Zhanar Dreisig, Asset Manager at TotalEnergies Denmark.
“Launching these surveys, the final phase of our site investigations before we can make the final decision on the design of the Lillebælt South offshore wind farm,” said Andreas Karhula Lauridsen, Vice President and Head of Offshore Wind at European Energy. “The surveys form the foundation for a project that is carefully adapted to local conditions and designed with a focus on gentle implementation.”
Later this year, more onshore and offshore geotechnical surveys will be carried out for the export cables that will connect the offshore wind farm to shore, and then to the local grid. These surveys are expected to continue until late 2025.
Comprehensive environmental assessments have been approved by the Danish Energy Agency to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to protect nature and the marine environment in the area. The technical surveys of the seabed are being conducted in line with this and with the least impact on the marine environment.
Facts About the Lillebælt South Offshore Wind Farm:
- Construction permit granted November 28, 2024
- Expected construction start: 2027
- Expected commissioning: 2029
- Capacity: 165 MW
- Number of wind turbines: 11, each 256 m high with a capacity of 15 MW
- Owners: TotalEnergies (72.25%), SONFOR (15%), and European Energy (12.75%)