SSE Renewables opens public consultation on Ireland’s most advanced offshore wind project
SSE Renewables, Ireland’s leading renewable energy owner and operator has confirmed that that between 36 and a maximum of 60 turbines will be required to be deployed at Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2, compared with previous iterations of up to 200 and a more recent figure of up to 62.
The developer is also ready to power up local communities across Wicklow and North Wexford as public consultation on the next stage of the project gets underway.
The company will share the most up to date plans for the wind farm’s offshore infrastructure which is the only outstanding consent required to deliver the project.
The consultation will take place from Monday, 13th March until the 7th April 2023. Over a four-week period, the team at SSE Renewables are encouraging members of the public in County Wicklow and North Wexford to have their say on the proposals.
John O’Sullivan, Project Manager for the Arklow Bank Wind Park with SSE Renewables, said:
“We have been engaging with stakeholders across Wicklow, Arklow and Courtown since 2018 and have built meaningful relationships which have been invaluable to us throughout the development phase of the project.
“SSE Renewables has always aimed to be as accessible as possible at all stages through regular meetings both virtually and in person, and we appreciate all the feedback from the communities in the vicinity of the proposed project. This will enable us to refine our plans, ahead of a planning application to An Bord Pleanála.
“Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 is a critical piece of infrastructure for the east coast and will be fundamental in supporting Ireland to meet its climate action target of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030”.
Public consultation meetings for the Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 take place as follows:
- Thursday, 16th March at the Arklow Bay Hotel in Arklow, Co. Wicklow from 5pm – 8pm
- Tuesday, 21st March at Wicklow Sailing Club in Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow from 5pm – 8 pm
- Wednesday, 29th March at Courtown Sailing Club, in Courtown, Co. Wexford from 5pm – 8 pm
The project team from SSE Renewables will be on hand at the events to provide information and updates, to answer questions and to take feedback from the public.
An online information session will also be held on Wednesday, 5 April at 7.30 p.m. and a virtual online exhibition will be available for the duration of the consultation, via the project website sserenewables.com/arklowbankphase2
About Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2
SSE Renewables has been developing Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 since 2018. Phase 1 of the Wind Park at Arklow Bank, which is owned and operated by GE Energy, was constructed in 2003/04. Phase 1 is the first and only operational offshore wind farm in Ireland and it consists of seven wind turbines with a capacity of 25.2 MW.
Following the transfer of Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 to the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) process in March 2022, the project was revised to increase the power generation output from the site from 520MW up to 800MW. This will allow the project to significantly contribute to Ireland’s climate action target of 5GW by 2030, and to Ireland’s national and local economy.
Having already successfully secured planning permission for two of the three project components, Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 is expected to deliver first power in 2028 and enter full commercial operation in 2029.
The project will be capable of powering almost 850,000 homes each year, and offsetting around 830 million kilos of harmful carbon emissions annually and will bring with it a multi-million Euro Community Benefit Fund
For more information about Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 and to offer feedback visit sserenewables.com/arklowbankphase2