The Geo-Assessment Matrix: Pan-European catalogue of key parameters for Offshore Wind Farm siting

The Geo-Assessment Matrix (the Matrix) is a pan-European dataset highlighting the key geological features and associated engineering constraints for Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) development. Such geological features include: lithology; biogenic processes; mass flow processes; fluid flow; morphology and geomorphology associated with glacial, coastal, fluvial and marine settings. There is currently no universally adopted methodology or classification system to assess ground conditions at OWF sites. This lack of standardisation makes it difficult to compare siting conditions across different regions in Europe. The Geo-Assessment Matrix introduces a unified methodology designed to address these challenges. Results provide data attributions that can be used to create pan-European geological maps to better understand the geological constraints of the subsurface for offshore development. The Matrix is useful for stakeholders such as research institutes (Geological Surveys), marine spatial planners, government agencies and OWF developers. A matrix style is adopted providing a structured comparison of geological and engineering constraints for the development of different OWF foundation types (piles, suction caisson, gravity based structures – GBS, and cables). A final qualitative unmitigated geological constraint score is provided for evaluating the suitability of different seabed conditions: ‘Higher’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Lower’ constraints. As this is a qualitative assessment, they are comparative terms, permitting categories that reflect the relative difference. - Higher constraint: Geological features may present significant challenges to engineering solutions. These are typically (but not limited to) geohazards, such as organic soils, pockmarks, active sedimentary systems, slope instability and soft sediments. - Moderate constraint: Geological features may be suitable for foundations, however, likely need additional engineering design/solutions mitigation measures. These are typically variable sedimentary features, such as heterogeneous sediments, mobile sediments, weak bedrock and gravel. - Lower constraint: Geological features are likely suitable for foundations. These are typically more predictable sediments, such as homogeneous or layered sediments or strong bedrock. Note that some features may still require mitigation measures. Outputs from the Matrix help to inform early decision-making and spatial planning by highlighting areas of relative geological constraint in countries during the early stages of offshore wind development.

Date (Creation): 2025-08-22

Citation identifier: http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13608494

Point of contact

Organisation name	Individual name	Electronic mail address	Role
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	enquiries@bgs.ac.uk	Distributor
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	enquiries@bgs.ac.uk	Originator
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	not available	Distributor
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	not available	Point of contact

Maintenance and update frequency: Unknown

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Geology

BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences

Constraints
EGDI
Engineering
Geology
NGDC Deposited Data

dataCentre

Keywords

NERC_DDC

Access constraints: Other restrictions

Other constraints: licenceOGL

Other constraints: Available under the Open Government Licence subject to the following acknowledgement accompanying the reproduced NERC materials "Contains NERC materials ©NERC [year]"

Use constraints: Other restrictions

Other constraints: The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.

Other constraints: Available under the Open Government Licence subject to the following acknowledgement accompanying the reproduced NERC materials "Contains NERC materials ©NERC [year]"

Language: English

Topic category

Geoscientific information

Begin date: 2022-08-01

End date: 2025-08-22

Supplemental Information: This project was co-funded by UKRI with the Geological Service for Europe (GSEU). Webpage details: https://www.geologicalservice.eu/

Reference System Information

No information provided.

Distribution format

Name	Version
XLSX

Distributor contact

Organisation name	Individual name	Electronic mail address	Role
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	enquiries@bgs.ac.uk	Distributor

Distributor contact

Organisation name	Individual name	Electronic mail address	Role
British Geological Survey	Enquiries	not available	Distributor

OnLine resource

Protocol	Linkage	Name
	https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/services/ngdc/accessions/index.html#item189519	Data

OnLine resource

Protocol	Linkage	Name
	https://doi.org/10.5285/a7622a1d-2638-4ec6-a77e-7de2e7fe28b1	Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Hierarchy level: Non geographic dataset

Other: non geographic dataset

Conformance result

Title: INSPIRE Implementing rules laying down technical arrangements for the interoperability and harmonisation of Geology

Date (Publication): 2011

Explanation: See the referenced specification

Pass: No

Conformance result

Title: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services

Date (Publication): 2010-12-08

Explanation: See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF

Pass: No

Statement: Development of the Matrix follows a four-step process that reattributes geological features into a final relative constraint term (Higher, Moderate, Lower). Each step builds on the last, transforming geological data into a harmonised, pan-European assessment tool. Terminology aligns with the two-part seabed geomorphology classification schemes of Dove et al. (2020) and Nanson et al. (2023), using bathymetry data to identify geomorphological units, supported by geological context (Nanson et al. 2023 and references therein). A matrix-style structure was used to systematically organise data, enabling comparison of constraints across settings. Categorisation into distinct groups clarifies how geological conditions affect engineering feasibility and design. An open-source methodology report (OR/25/067) supports the development of the Geo-Assessment Matrix.