An offshore wind developer, which currently has two North Sea projects on the go, has set out its intention to make inroads across the Irish Sea.
Ocean Winds is evaluating the expansion of its global offshore wind portfolio – comprising 1.5 gigawatts (GW) in construction and 4 GW in development – to include Ireland.
In order to achieve this, the Edinburgh-headquartered firm has established Cailleach Offshore Wind Farm.
The project delivery company has submitted a Foreshore Application Licence Application to undertake site investigations for the potential development of an offshore windfarm 8 miles from the shore at Co. Wicklow in Ireland.
Ocean Winds, which is a joint venture between Madrid-based EDP Renewables and Engie, is hoping to take advantage of the “offshore wind resource opportunity” in the Irish Sea, specifically off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow.
The surveys will enable the firm to determine the ground conditions and ascertain the metocean conditions on site which – these will then feed into the future design of the windfarm.
Cailleach is the first a number of Irish sites which Ocean Winds has said it is examining.
Spyridon Martinis, the firm’s CEO, said: “OW has a strong international portfolio and an excellent track-record of bringing projects from concept to construction. Ireland has excellent renewable resources, and our background, expertise, strength and experience will allow the Irish economy to make best use of those resources.”
“In June 2019, The Irish Government announced their Climate Action Plan, with a target of generating 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with at least 3.5GW of offshore wind. In June this was increased to 5GW.”
“In the neighbouring UK market, OW will soon reach completion of the 950MW Moray East offshore Windfarm, which was ground-breaking in terms of technology and cost. We look forward to the opportunity of working in Ireland and maximising the potential of offshore wind technology in a new geography.”
Ocean Wind’s portfolio of projects also includes Moray East Offshore Wind Farm, which is currently under construction in the Moray Firth.
Consisting of 100 turbines, the development is due to become operational by 2022 and will capable of powering around 950,000 homes.
It is being developed by Moray Offshore Windfarm East, which is jointly owned by Ocean Winds (56.6%) Diamond Green (33.4%) and China Three Gorges (10%).
Meanwhile, Ocean Winds is currently working to secure a Contracts for Difference (CfD) for its proposed Moray West Offshore Wind Farm.
Construction work on the project, which will be built adjacent to Moray East, is expected to kick off in 2022/23.
Recommended for you
