BP and EnBW’s Offshore Wind Push: Fugro Begins Crucial Survey in Irish Sea

The Data Hunt Beneath the Waves

Fugro is gearing up for a high-stakes offshore geotechnical survey at the Morgan and Mona wind sites in the UK, with operations set to begin around June 2 and wrap by September 10. The Dutch marine specialist will deploy its vessel, the Fugro Synergy, to drill, sample, and core boreholes across the Irish Sea—each location demanding up to three days of precision work. This survey is a critical step in BP and EnBW’s ambitious plan to unlock 3 GW of clean energy from these waters.

“Geotechnical surveys are the unsung heroes of offshore wind,” says a marine energy analyst. “Without them, you’re building on guesswork.”

From Leases to Megawatts

The Morgan and Mona wind farms, situated 22–37 km off the UK coast, are part of a BP-EnBW joint venture that’s rapidly gaining momentum. The duo secured leases in early 2021, nabbed generation licences by 2022, and cleared a key hurdle this year with the completion of Development Consent Order (DCO) application examinations. But before turbines can rise, the seafloor must surrender its secrets. Fugro’s survey will complement an ongoing campaign by Gardline’s Horizon Geodrill, which began in March and runs until September 30.

A Trio of Titans

BP and EnBW aren’t just betting on Morgan and Mona. The partners are developing three UK offshore wind projects—Morgan, Mona, and Morven—with a combined capacity of 5.9 GW. While Morven lies off Scotland, Morgan and Mona, each with a planned 1.5 GW output, could power millions of homes. The Irish Sea’s harsh conditions demand robust data, and Fugro’s findings will shape everything from turbine foundations to cable routes.

“The clock is ticking for the UK’s 50 GW offshore wind target,” notes a renewables strategist. “Projects like these are the backbone of that ambition.”

As Fugro’s crew braces for summer storms and technical challenges, their work underscores a larger truth: the energy transition is built on meticulous science—one borehole at a time.