Seadragon Offshore Wind Project

RPS engages with Seadragon offshore wind project on environmental challenges

Located in the declared Gippsland offshore wind development zone, Flotation Energy’s Seadragon project planned to build up to 150 wind turbines and a subsea cable network to supply electricity to up to one million homes via the Latrobe Valley transmission network.  

From the beginning, the project faced significant challenges, balancing the goals of renewable energy production with environmental protection in a largely under-researched marine region. Developing a wind farm in the Gippsland region requires safeguarding biodiversity, minimising disruption to ecosystems, and mitigating impacts on protected and sensitive species. 
 
To navigate these complex issues, the Seadragon project required support through environmental impact assessments (EIA) and extensive marine environmental baseline surveys to ensure that the proposed development safeguarded the unique values of the Gippsland ecosystem. RPS was enlisted to provide expert guidance and gather critical data on environmental conditions, allowing for informed decision-making and effective mitigation strategies to address these challenges. 

Comprehensive environmental baseline survey and advisory by RPS

RPS led the project management and technical phases for Seadragon’s environmental strategy, commencing in 2021. This included overseeing pre-mobilisation, survey execution, data analysis, and reporting for marine environmental baseline surveys. These surveys were designed to support the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process by offering a thorough understanding of the current marine environment prior to any development.  

In July 2023, RPS launched a 30-month survey program specifically for Seadragon, focusing on regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. This program comprised:

•    Marine ecosystem monitoring: Employing visual and digital aerial surveys, passive acoustic monitoring, and biologging to study marine mammals, birds, fish, and benthic habitats.
•    Metocean assessment: Measuring waves, currents, and water levels at the proposed site, ensuring data-informed development with minimal ecological disruption.
•    Collaboration with scientific partners: Working alongside JASCO Applied Sciences, Deakin University, Hi Def, and CSIRO to deliver effective field programs and scientifically robust insights.