Irish offshore wind venture targets two 900-MW developments
Aug. 1, 2023
Energia Renewables and Vårgrønn have formed a cooperation to develop wind energy projects offshore Ireland that could deliver up to 1.8 GW of new capacity by 2030.
Courtesy Energia Group LinkedIn
Energia Group reached a project milestone about eight months ago when it successfully completed seabed surveys for its South Irish Sea wind farm project.
Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway— Energia Renewables and Vårgrønn have formed a cooperation to develop wind energy projects offshore Ireland that could deliver up to 1.8 GW of new capacity by 2030.
Their initial focus will be on the south and east coast regions. Here, Energia Renewables has completed four years of studies at one North Celtic Sea site with capacity of up to 900 MW and a South Irish Sea site with capacity of up to 900 MW.
Courtesy Energia Renewables
North Celtic Sea is a renewable energy project proposed to be located a minimum of 10km and up to 25km off the Co. Waterford Coast. Construction is scheduled for 2027.
Courtesy Energia Renewables
South Irish Sea is an offshore renewable energy project proposed to be located a minimum of 10 km and up to 25 km off the coasts of Wexford and south Wicklow. Construction is also set for 2027.
The program included seabed surveys and acquisition of aerial data on birds and mammals, and preparations have now started for the environmental impact assessments, along with engagement with local fisheries and communities.
Subject to government approval, both projects could be operational by 2030.
The new cooperation follows Ireland’s first offshore wind auction in June, under the country’s new Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. At present, Ireland has 25 MW of installed offshore wind capacity and is aiming for at least 37 GW of capacity by 2050.
Elsewhere, Vårgrønn has a 20% stake in the phased Dogger Bank wind farm in the UK southern North Sea (3.6 GW installed capacity), and the company has exclusivity to develop up to 1.9 GW of floating offshore wind in Scotland with partner Flotation Energy.
