Fraunhofer IWES and Fugro Germany Marine GmbH havesuccessfully completed the Geophysical Site Characterization of the N-9.5 areain the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea. The survey wasconducted for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamtfür Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie BSH) during April and May 2025. Thecampaign included recording both Sub-Bottom Profiler and Ultra-High-ResolutionMulti-Channel Seismic data (UHR MCS) for a dense grid of 2,349 kilometers of surveylines. Thus, an area-wide overview of the geological setting is created.
Both datasets aim to resolve different depth ranges of thesubsurface in the study area. The sub-bottom profiler data provideshigh-resolution images of sediments and existing geological structures down to15 meters below the seabed. The UHR MCS data enables imaging of larger sedimentbodies and geological structures, down to 200 m below the seabed. Afterintegrating both datasets, a preliminary interpretation of the subsoilconditions was carried out.
“As part of the central preliminary site investigation, thepreliminary interpretation provides us with a valuable planning basis for thepreliminary geotechnical investigation and forms the starting point for thedevelopment of an engineering geological model”, says Marcel Ruhnau,coordinator of geophysical site investigation at the BSH. The dataset will alsosupport future geotechnical investigations and reduce constructions risks forthe planned offshore wind farm.
“It is vital that OWF developers and their engineers areprovided with precise geological information to enable them to make informeddecisions and plan accordingly. This will ultimately reduce costly projectdelays and contribute to the development of the wind farm”, summarizes Fugroproject manager Manfred Stender. According to the site development plan fromJanuary 30, 2025, the site N-9.5, with a size of approximately 146 km2,is planned to add 1 GW to the offshore grid in Germany.
Fugro acted as the main contractor, providing the surveyvessel (Fugro Discovery) and being responsible for acquiring, processing, andinterpreting the sub-bottom profiler data. As a subcontractor, Fraunhofer IWESwas responsible for acquiring, processing, and interpreting the UHRmultichannel seismic data. Jesley Geoservices provided Fraunhofer IWES withpersonnel support in processing the recorded ultra-high-resolution multichannelseismic data in order to successfully complete the very tight project schedule.
“The successful completion of this project marks our eightconsecutive years of conducting an UHR MCS campaign for the BSH in the GermanNorth Sea. We have been working with Fugro on preliminary geophysical siteinvestigations of offshore wind farm planning areas for six years now. Thanksto our long-standing partnership with Fugro, we have a deep understanding ofour shared goals and processes”, says Tim Burmeister, project manager atFraunhofer IWES. Supporting windfarm pre-investigation projects, the instituteis actively contributing to the successful implementation of the energytransition in Germany.
Contact partner at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind EnergySystems IWES
Gabriela Sierra Lombera
Group Leader Geophysical Site Characterization
Phone +49 471 14290171
Email: gabriela.sierra@iwes.fraunhofer.de
www.iwes.fraunhofer.de
Contact partner at Fugro Germany Marine GmbH
Connor Schulze
Business Development Manager Renewables
Phone +49 421 4088850
Email: c.schulze@fugro.com
www.fugro.com
Contact partner at The Federal Maritime andHydrographic Agency (BSH)
Press office
Email: presse@bsh.de
www.bsh.de/EN
About Fraunhofer IWES
The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES conductsapplication-oriented research for a sustainable future. The focus topics of theFraunhofer IWES are offshore, hydrogen, test infrastructure and digitalization.The research work in these future-oriented key technologies plays a centralrole in the innovation process and strengthens the business location for thebenefit of our society by transferring the research results to industry. Morethan 400 employees at nine locations are developing innovative methods toaccelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimizerisks, and increase cost efficiency.
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist. With its unique map, modeland monitor solutions, the company provides project critical insights into thebuilt and natural environment. Fugro supports clients by delivering solutionsin support of the energy transition, large-scale infrastructure development andclimate resilience. With expertise in site characterization and assetintegrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design,construction and operation of their assets throughout the life cycle. In linewith its purpose, Fugro is extending its know-how and solutions to theunderstanding and preservation of ecosystems.
Employing approximately 10,000 people in 52 countries, Fugro serves clientsaround the globe, mostly in the energy, infrastructure and water industries,both offshore and onshore. In 2024, revenue amounted to EUR 2.3 billion. Fugrois listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
About BSH
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) is Germany's maritimeauthority. BSH is responsible for shipping, marine protection and sustainablemarine use, offshore, marine surveying, marine data and maritime departmentalresearch. 1,000 employees in over 100 different professions work at thelocations in Hamburg and Rostock as well as on five surveying, wreck search andresearch vessels.
BSH is a higher federal authority and departmental research institution withinthe remit of the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV).