Argeo is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract to carry out the initial site investigation survey for RWE’s Canopy offshore wind project in Northern California.
Project Details
The contract involves a 40-day initial site investigation survey, with an option for an additional 30 days. The first phase of the project will kick off in June, featuring Argeo’s Hugin 6000, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, and a chartered vessel.
“We are pleased to announce the contract with RWE. We bring our expertise in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys to the RWE Canopy offshore wind project, and we are confident this project will pave the way for future growth and innovation in the renewable energy industry,” says Argeo CEO Trond F. Crantz.
Environmental Impact and Technological Excellence
The work will involve comprehensive mapping the seafloor to assist RWE in gathering critical data so the best locations for the wind turbines, anchors and electric cables can be assessed. The surveys will also provide data that will help better understand biodiversity, habitats, and other environmental factors to ensure responsible planning and design that minimizes the impact on ocean ecosystems. The 1.6 GW offshore wind project is poised to be one of the first commercial-scale floating offshore wind farms, providing sustainable power and positioning the North Coast as a leader in the floating offshore wind industry on the West Coast.Utilizing AUVs as survey platforms also minimizes the risk of fishing gear entanglement. Additionally, the sensors onboard the AUVs operate at safe sound levels, allowing the developer to comply with California’s low-energy equipment standards for geophysical surveys. These standards are designed to reduce impacts on marine mammals and other wildlife.
“We look forward to working with Argeo on RWE’s site investigation campaign for our first commercial-scale floating wind project,” says Rob Mastria, Project Director for Canopy Offshore Wind. “Argeo has worked with RWE’s site investigation, stakeholder and development teams to put together a high-quality technical solution that considered feedback from state and federal agencies and the local community to ensure this work minimizes impacts to ocean users and marine life.”
Strategic Expansion and Future Prospects
Dave Gentle, Argeo’s VP NSA, highlighted the significance of the contract:
“This contract with RWE is a pivotal step for Argeo with expansion of our activities in North and South America,” states Argeo VP NSA, Dave Gentle. “This project is essential in advancing our capabilities within the renewables sector, specifically in floating offshore wind. By securing an important contract in this market, we not only enhance our technological expertise but also reinforce our commitment to supporting the transition to sustainable energy sources. This endeavor positions Argeo at the forefront of innovation and excellence in renewable energy projects across the Americas.”
“Our goal is to maintain our competitive edge as a technology leader within subsea services. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the future, with a strong contract backlog and substantial growth potential for the rest of 2024 and beyond,” adds Trond Crantz. Argeo is actively participating in tendering processes and engaging in business development discussions with local companies globally across its three markets: Oil & Gas, Marine Minerals, and Offshore Wind.”The recent contract awards and backlog affirm Argeo’s technology position, and we anticipate continued growth in our three markets,” Crantz concluded.
Argeo is committed to leveraging its technological advancements to support the transition to sustainable energy sources and drive innovation in the renewable energy sector.