Physical process assessment for floating wind

Supporting the Development Consent Order application for the 96 MW Erebus Project

Blue Gem Wind, the joint venture between Simply Blue Energy and Total, is developing a floating wind demonstration site in the Celtic Sea, approximately 40 km southwest of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

As part of the marine EIA team led by MarineSpace, ABPmer was contracted to undertake the physical process impact assessment in support of the DCO (planning permission) application for the 100 MW Erebus Project.

The assessment investigated the potential effects of the WindFloat^® floating wind platform and supporting infrastructure on the wave, flow and sediment transport regime through construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed wind farm.

To account for the different underwater profile and mooring systems used by the WindFloat^® platform, new physical process impact assessment methods were developed by ABPmer’s specialists.

Existing methods and evidence were used to inform the assessment of potential impacts from the more traditional transmission infrastructure.

We also conducted metocean and seabed mobility studies in support of the design phase of the project.

Erebus was granted a marine licence in February 2023.

Photo courtesty Blue Gem Wind

ABPmer’s planning and consents specialists regularly prepare environmental statements and support developers through the minefield of marine consents.