Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm GBS settlement monitoring
Project overview
Project name
Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm
Location
Northern France
Developer partners
EDF Renewables, Enbridge Inc., CPP Investments, Skyborn Renewables
Water depth
20–40 m
Solution
GBS settlement monitoring
France’s first offshore wind project at Fécamp involved the installation of 71 turbines in challenging conditions. Each turbine in the 497 MW project needed anchoring to the seabed by a 5,000-Te concrete foundation, known as a Gravity Based Structure (GBS).
But each GBS needed to be stable - a task complicated by the weight and height of the structures, the dynamics of the seabed and the scale of the operation.
Navigating a critical phase
Installing heavy foundations on variable seabed terrain brings uncertainty. The customer needed assurance that each GBS would settle safely and predictably into the seabed.
Our solution
Acteon’s solution
To support this critical phase of installation, Acteon delivered a dimensional survey, ROV inspection and a novel fit-for-purpose settlement monitoring solution, drawing on the expertise of UTEC, Acteon’s Geo-services business line. We provided real-time tracking of each foundation’s vertical movement during the multi-week settlement phase, ensuring accurate positioning before turbine installation.
Each GBS was fitted with high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers, gyrocompasses, and three-axis inclinometers to continuously monitor changes in elevation and tilt. This data was streamed in near-real-time to project teams both offshore and onshore, enabling informed decision-making at every stage including the critical post-ballast phase.
The solution was fully customised to the site’s environmental conditions and installation methodology. By integrating multiple sensor types, including those powered with a solar panel, and adapting to the customer’s operational timeline, we ensured the monitoring approach aligned with project milestones without disrupting wider construction activity.
Working in close partnership with the construction consortium, we enabled safe, accurate installation while ensuring foundation performance over the long-term. This collaborative and insight-led approach gave the customer confidence in the final foundation positions and helped de-risk a key stage of the development.
Innovations in action
This was enabled by a tailored suite of positioning and motion-tracking technologies, including GNSS, gyrocompasses, and inclinometers. Data was streamed in near real time via the Sigfox cloud and visualised through a custom dashboard, giving teams a clear view of foundation behaviour. Post-installation integrity was verified using ROV-mounted acoustic and video systems alongside HD surface inspections.
The result
Our solution provided clear, actionable insight into how each foundation interacted with the seabed. This gave project teams the assurance they needed to proceed confidently through each installation stage.
By capturing precise ongoing settlement and inclination measurements, we helped verify when each GBS had reached final stability. This reduced the risk of misalignment, safeguarded turbine installation timelines and eliminated the need for costly rework.
Acteon gave the customer access to the right data at the right time – enhancing offshore construction efficiency while reducing uncertainty. This ensured a key phase of the project was delivered safely with insight, confidence and precision.
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