Fugro has successfully wrapped up four years of continuous survey operations in New Jersey and New York for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, a US-based offshore wind developer. These operations supported the site assessment of five projects across three lease areas covering a total of 1,000 square kilometers. This collaborative effort not only boosted survey efficiency by 30% but also played a crucial role in securing federal approval for Atlantic Shores South, which is set to deliver 2,800 MW of clean energy to New Jersey.
Traditionally, offshore wind site assessments involve multiple independent campaigns to gather various types of data, including oceanographic, seabed, soil, and habitat information. Fugro streamlined this process by integrating these data collection efforts into a single, cohesive program aligned with Atlantic Shores’ portfolio strategy. To manage the massive volumes of data—exceeding 100 terabytes—Fugro and Atlantic Shores developed Fugro VirGeo®. This cloud-based Geo-data engagement and delivery platform offers real-time project information to stakeholders, facilitating quicker decision-making both in the field and in the office.
The platform also enabled the first digital submissions to federal regulators, supplementing the extensive reports required by current permitting standards. This shift toward digital deliverables aims to increase transparency, build public trust, and expedite the regulatory review process—an essential step toward achieving the national goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.
“Given the shared values between Fugro and Atlantic Shores, we are proud of the longstanding partnership and commitment to advancing New Jersey’s first offshore wind project,” stated Joris Veldhoven, CEO of Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind. “Over the last four years, our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure we possess the most accurate data to develop our project portfolio safely and responsibly. Our partnership has led to industry innovations, advancements, and best practices that are charting the course for clean energy delivery now and for future generations.”
Céline Gerson, Fugro’s President and Group Director in the Americas, commented, “The energy transition will require companies that are willing to lead by example—that work smarter to move faster while maintaining the highest accuracy and safety standards. Atlantic Shores is that kind of company, and we’re incredibly proud to have partnered with them to accelerate their offshore wind development journey. We’ve achieved a great deal together in the last four years, and we’re excited to keep this momentum going during future phases of development, working together to increase renewable energy in the US.”
