Fugro wins second geotechnical investigation contract for Australian offshore wind project

Fugro has been awarded the contract for offshore soil investigation services for the proposed Blue Mackerel offshore wind farm in Australia. When complete, the project will become one of Australia’s pioneering offshore wind energy developments. Located off the coast of Brataualung and Tatungalung country in Gippsland, Victoria, it will play a critical role in Australia’s clean energy transition.

Fugro will execute offshore geotechnical investigations to support the Blue Mackerel project, which is being developed by Parkwind, part of JERA Nex. With a projected capacity of 1GW by 2032, the wind farm aims to generate renewable energy sufficient to power over 500,000 Victorian homes, significantly contributing to Australia’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This award follows Fugro’s successful completion of the geotechnical site investigation for the Star of the South offshore wind project.

Anil Chanana, country head for Parkwind, Australia, said: “We are excited to get to the next stage of site characterization on our Blue Mackerel flagship project in Australia, and are pleased that Fugro will be collaborating with us to undertake this important geotechnical survey. This is a strategic project for Parkwind in Australia and we would play a crucial role in helping Victoria achieve its legislated 9GW of offshore wind capacity target in time.”

Shalu Shajahan, regional director, Marine Site Characterisation Asia Pacific at Fugro, stated: “We are pleased to play a crucial role in supporting the Blue Mackerel offshore wind farm, in this landmark project. We are confident that our advanced geotechnical expertise will deliver high-quality geodata that will be integral to the success of this project and our commitment to delivering sustainable energy solutions and the further development of Australia’s emerging offshore wind energy.”

Fugro will deploy its specialist geotechnical vessel, the Fugro Mariner, for the project to collect seabed soil samples, which will subsequently be analysed at a Fugro laboratory. The survey results will assist Parkwind in optimizing the wind farm’s structural integrity and mitigating construction risks while ensuring compliance with the latest sustainability standards.