Abstract
DNV AS has carried out an Environmental benthos survey at the Equinor-operated wind farm Hywind Scotland, situated 25 km off the coast of Peterhead in Scotland, UK. There are still uncertainties regarding the potential environmental impact from a floating wind park due to the floating technology being a relative novel development solution. Using the world’s first operational floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Scotland, to improve the knowledge base would contribute to build confidence about floating wind and add knowledge to the environmental footprint.
The fieldwork on Hywind Scotland was conducted together with a larger cruise that took part in the Norwegian and Barents Sea in May and June 2022. The survey at Hywind Scotland wind farm area was conducted from the vessel “Olympic Electra” in the period 11-12 of May. An overview of the location of the sampling locations and infrastructure at Hywind Scotland is presented in the figure below. Three main activities were executed in the survey, and which are summarized in this report:
- Sediment characterization
- Biological analysis of macrofauna
- Visual assessment of megafauna and potential influence from the wind park on the seabed