Green Volt has successfully completed a major programme of survey activity, providing important new information to support the ongoing engineering and design of the project.
The programme brought together a range of nearshore geophysical and environmental survey activities, helping Green Volt build an increasingly detailed understanding of the conditions across the areas where project infrastructure will be located.
The completion of the campaign represents another important step as Green Volt continues to mature its design and progress towards construction.
Detailed investigation of nearshore conditions
Green Volt’s nearshore survey campaign mobilised on 22 July 2026, with specialist survey vessels operating for approximately seven weeks to gather detailed information about the seabed, shallow geology and environmental conditions within the nearshore area of the offshore export cable corridor.
The campaign combined several survey techniques to build a comprehensive picture of conditions along the route towards landfall. Geophysical surveys were used to map seabed features and investigate the shallow geology beneath the seabed, providing important information to support engineering and design of the offshore export cable.
During the geophysical survey, a previously uncharted wreck was identified within the nearshore survey area. The discovery was recorded through detailed seabed mapping and subsequently reported to the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) for inclusion in its hydrographic records. The find provides an interesting example of the level of detail captured through the survey campaign and the wider value of the information collected.
Environmental surveys were also undertaken, including drop-down video transects and seabed grab samples. These were used to characterise sediment conditions and identify the presence and extent of protected habitats, helping the project consider potential micro-siting of the export cable route to minimise interactions with sensitive habitats where possible.
The campaign also included drone survey activity within the nearshore area, providing high-resolution imagery and additional information on coastal and landfall conditions. This complements the information gathered offshore and provides the project team with a more complete understanding of the transition between the marine environment and the landfall.
Together, the geophysical, environmental and drone survey datasets provide Green Volt with an important evidence base to inform the ongoing design and refinement of the offshore export cable route and its approach to landfall.
Drone survey activity within the nearshore area.
Detailed survey maps support the ongoing engineering and design of the project
From surveys to engineering
With the nearshore survey campaign complete, the data gathered will now be processed, analysed and interpreted to inform Green Volt’s ongoing engineering and design.
Bringing together the geophysical, environmental and drone survey data will provide a detailed understanding of conditions along the nearshore export cable corridor and its approach to landfall, helping to inform and refine the route design.
Green Volt would like to thank the specialist contractors, vessel crews, project teams and stakeholders who supported successful delivery here, in what is yet another important step in the progression of this pioneering project.
All images used in this article are courtesy of Spectrum Geosurvey.
