Fugro (Geo-data specialist) has been awarded a major geotechnical survey contract by SSE to support the development of Berwick Bank B, the second phase of the Berwick Bank offshore wind project located off Scotland's east coast.

The contract, which was already incorporated into Fugro's 12-month backlog as of March 2026, will see the company carry out a comprehensive ground investigation program to underpin the foundation design for what could become the world's largest offshore wind farm.

A Project of National and Global Significance

Berwick Bank is targeting the delivery of 4.1 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity across three phases. If built to its full capacity, the project could generate enough clean electricity to power more than six million UK homes annually, placing it among the most consequential offshore wind developments anywhere in the world.

The project is located in the North Sea off Scotland's east coast and is described as a nationally significant development. According to SSE, Berwick Bank could add up to USD 11.28$ billion to the UK economy and support more than 9,000 jobs, while strengthening long-term energy security through domestically generated power.

Berwick Bank B, the phase now being supported by Fugro's geotechnical work, represents 1.4 gigawatts of the project's overall 4.1 gigawatt total capacity. The phase reached a significant commercial milestone in January when it secured a long-term Contract for Difference through the UK government's Allocation Round 7, a competitive mechanism used to underwrite revenue for offshore wind developers and attract investment.

Scope of the Geotechnical Investigation

Fugro is carrying out a full geotechnical investigation to enable the design of fixed-bottom turbines planned at the Berwick Bank B site. The work involves drilling boreholes to depths of up to 50 meters below the seabed to collect soil and rock samples.

These samples will provide what Fugro describes as Geo-data, the ground condition information required to design safe and structurally efficient foundations for the turbines.

The investigation is being delivered using two of Fugro's geotechnical vessels, Fugro Quest and Fugro Zenith. The company says it is employing specialist coring and conventional sampling techniques, methods chosen for their suitability to the complex ground conditions present at the site and their capacity to reduce construction risk during later project phases.

Berwick Bank B is progressing toward a final investment decision, and SSE has indicated that the commencement of this geotechnical campaign represents an important milestone in that process.

Industry Partners Comment on the Award

Gordon Rae, Geotechnical Package Manager for Berwick Bank at SSE Renewables, said the start of the investigation campaign demonstrated the company's commitment to disciplined and de-risked project delivery.

"As we progress the project towards the final investment decision, we are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with Fugro and look forward to delivering a safe and successful geotechnical investigation program at Berwick Bank B," he said.

Remmelt de Jong, Fugro's Director for Marine Site Characterization in Europe and Africa, said the award reflected the confidence SSE had placed in Fugro's geotechnical expertise and built on an established partnership.

"Our advanced coring capabilities and strong offshore track record will support safe and efficient foundation design. We're proud to continue working with SSE on one of the world's most significant offshore wind developments," he said.

A Relationship Dating Back to 2019

The contract is not the beginning of Fugro's involvement at Berwick Bank. The company has been delivering surveys at the site since 2019, and the new geotechnical investigation builds directly on that prior work.

Fugro says the partnership with SSE reflects its broader role in supporting the UK's clean energy transition by providing accurate and reliable ground condition data for large-scale offshore wind projects operating in increasingly complex marine environments.

The award was announced on 11 May 2026, with Fugro confirming the contract had already been incorporated into its 12-month backlog as of March 2026, indicating the agreement was in place ahead of the public announcement.

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