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Blue Gem Wind begins digital aerial surveys for Valorous

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 15/06/2021 Blue Gem Wind

Blue Gem Wind, the joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Energy, has commenced offshore digital aerial surveys for the 300 MW
Valorous floating wind project.

APEM Ltd was chosen by Blue Gem Wind to deliver 24 consecutive monthly bird and marine mammal surveys of the early-commercial scale
Valorous site. The high resolution data obtained will support baseline environmental characterisation of the site and environmental impact assessments for key ecological receptors. The survey programme commenced in March 2021 and four of the 24 monthly surveys have been completed to date.

Sean Evans, Environmental Specialist at Blue Gem Wind, said: “It is important for us to begin long-lead in items such as bird and marine mammal surveys as early as possible. These surveys will provide crucial species specific data on the number, spatial distribution and activity of individuals across the Valorous site. This enables us to undertake robust environmental impact assessments ahead of our planned consent application submission in 2023.”

Matt Rohner, Senior Consultant at APEM, said: “APEM Ltd are delighted to be able to support Blue Gem Wind’s proposed Valorous offshore wind farm with our best-in-class survey design approach. Imagery captured using state-of-the-art cameras is of ultra-high (1.6cm) resolution, providing industry leading image quality that is essential for species level identification.”

Blue Gem Wind is focussed on developing floating wind in the Celtic Sea, using a "stepping stone" approach. The 300 MW
Valorous project approximately 50 km South West of the Pembrokeshire coastline. It is expected to following on from the joint venture's Erebus project.

Erebus project is to have a 96 MW capacity and will be installed in an area with a water depth of 70 metres. The parties are planning to develop the project using Principle Power’s WindFloat technology. WindFloat is a semi-submersible floating foundation with "water entrapment plates" fitted onto the bottom of the three pillars and a static and dynamic ballast system to enable stability. An application has been submitted to the Crown Estate.

The parties are planning to develop the project using Principle Power’s WindFloat technology. WindFloat is a semi-submersible floating foundation with "water entrapment plates" fitted onto the bottom of the three pillars and a static and dynamic ballast system to enable stability.


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