GE Energy Arklow Bank Windfarm Turbine Pile Foundation & Cables Scour Rectification

Project Description:

Arklow Bank is a shallow water sandbank located 10 km off the east coast of Ireland in approx: 3mwd. It is exposed to strong currents, frequently exceeding 2m/s, breaking waves and has a dynamic sand/gravel seabed.

Specially Designed SSCS Frond Mats were installed in 2008 around the 6.3 metre diameter T5 Turbine Pile Foundation and along two associated power cables to rectify scour and provide permanent protection following the failure of rock armour.

Rock armour, installed shortly after pile installation to provide scour protection, was found during post installation surveys nine months after installation, to have dissipated and to have sunk below the natural seabed level exposing the pile and cables and creating scour to a depth of 4 metres and extending to approximately 20 metres from the pile edge.

The SSCS Frond Mats were installed between and around the larger remaining rocks to rectify this scour, reinstate the seabed soils and provide long term protection.

The above still photograph taken from the post installation survey video during October 2008 shows the successful application and effectiveness of the Mats with a build-up of sedimentation providing a stable protective sand bank.

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