Ireland’s largest Phase One offshore wind project, Codling Wind Park, which will be located off the County Wicklow coast, will require almost 30% fewer wind turbines than originally proposed. The development will still generate enough renewable electricity to meet over 20% of Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind targets.
While the initial estimate for the number of turbines required had been put at a maximum of 140, the project team said that advances in wind turbine technology, combined with a more detailed understanding of the wind farm site, means a maximum of 100 turbines will now be required.
Poolbeg in Ringsend will be the location of the project’s electricity grid connection with 1,450MW – enough electricity to power up to 1.2 million Irish homes – confirmed as the maximum amount of electricity it will generate.
Codling Wind Park is a 50/50 joint venture between Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables and will be located around 13 to 22 kilometers off the Co. Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town.
Feedback gathered from the public as part of a January and February consultation process will feed into the ongoing development of the project, and updated proposals will be presented at a third phase of public consultation later this year.
“We have made significant progress since our first phase of public consultation in March 2021 and we are looking forward to updating people, in Wicklow and Poolbeg in particular, and receiving their thoughts and feedback on a range of topics, including the design of the project, the Environmental Impact Assessment we are working on, the best way we can deliver benefits to local communities through the Community Benefit Fund over the next 20 years and how best we can continue to engage with the fishing and sailing communities,” said co-project director Scott Sutherland.
When developed, Codling Wind Park will be Ireland’s largest offshore wind farm. The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in the construction phase and 75 new, long-term jobs associated with its proposed Operations and Maintenance Base at Wicklow Port.
Subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026, and is expected to take two to three years to complete.
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