Foundation Installation Options
A preliminary review of the various foundation and substructure options was completed to
assist the EIA Study. The table below summarises the relative environmental merits of
each option and combination.
The table shows that gravity foundations would require significant ground preparation
and dredging, whilst pile foundations would create noise impact through hammering and
driving. Suction caissons can be installed into the seabed with minimal disturbance and
in this case represent the least impact option. After proving the technology was viable
through an offshore test, the suction caisson was adopted as the ‘base case’ for Project
development.
For the substructure, installation of a 4-legged jacket would have slightly higher impact
potential than a 3 legged tripod / jacket or monopole and was therefore adopted for the
‘base case’ assessment in the EIA Study. The offshore substation is expected to use the
same foundation.
A preliminary review of the various foundation and substructure options was completed to
assist the EIA Study. The table below summarises the relative environmental merits of
each option and combination.
The table shows that gravity foundations would require significant ground preparation
and dredging, whilst pile foundations would create noise impact through hammering and
driving. Suction caissons can be installed into the seabed with minimal disturbance and
in this case represent the least impact option. After proving the technology was viable
through an offshore test, the suction caisson was adopted as the ‘base case’ for Project
development.
For the substructure, installation of a 4-legged jacket would have slightly higher impact
potential than a 3 legged tripod / jacket or monopole and was therefore adopted for the
‘base case’ assessment in the EIA Study. The offshore substation is expected to use the
same foundation.
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Foundation elements