The Lincs Offshore Wind Farm

During second half of 2008, GEO carried out a major offshore geotechnical site investigation for the British utility company, Centrica Renewable Energy Limited. Centrica plans to build 70 3,6 MW wind turbines in the Greater Wash, 8 km off Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast. The object of GEO's investigation was to provide geotechnical information, which will assist to the geotechnical aspect of designing the optimal foundations upon which the wind turbines will be placed.
Offshore geotechnical investigation The geotechnical investigations comprised 90 CPT tests carried out with our seabed rig, SCOPE and geotechnical boreholes. The boring campaign included in total 45 boreholes to between 40 and 50 metre below seabed. The boreholes were carried out as a combination of rotary-, percussion- and core drilling. In addition to the sampling, in-situ testing (SPT-tests, down the hole CPT tests, P-S logging and HPD tests) were carried out in the boreholes.
Soil testing All samples from the boreholes were logged, conducted, photographed and preliminary tested offshore in GEO's offshore geotechnical lab. Onshore, laboratory work including classification-, chemical- and strength tests were conducted on selected samples. When all testing had been completed, the results of the CPTs, borings and the laboratory tests were reported to our client.
Lincs Offshore Wind Farm will, when finished, be capable of meeting the annual electricity needs of 170,000 households and will reduce harmful carbon emissions.