ESB is celebrating after landing exclusive development rights for a 100MW floating wind project in Scottish waters off the north coast of Northern Ireland in the latest INTOG leasing round.
The successful project, Malin Sea Wind, is a collaborative bid between ESB, leading technology developers Dublin Offshore Technology and Belfast-based CATAGEN. The outcome underscores ESB’s growing capabilities and expanding presence in the offshore wind industry.
The site aims to support the reduction of floating offshore wind costs by demonstrating Dublin Offshore’s patented load-reduction technology (pictured). Furthermore, the project will support decarbonisation of the aviation sector by powering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production technology currently under development by net-zero technology specialists, CATAGEN.
Head of Offshore Wind and Hydrogen at ESB Paul Lennon welcomed the result: “Floating offshore wind has the potential to revolutionise our energy landscape and overcoming the technological challenges will be key to unlocking that potential.
“Malin Sea Wind represents an important stepping-stone towards commercial-scale deployment of floating wind and the development of new routes to market for renewable energy. ESB is excited to collaborate with our technology partners on this pioneering project as we continue on our journey to Net-Zero”.
CATAGEN chief executive Andrew Woods added: “Our purpose is to clean and decarbonise the air in the fight against climate change and enable industries and governments to meet their net zero goals. CATAGEN is excited to work with our partners ESB and Dublin Offshore on this landmark project that will showcase renewable energy pathways for mobility, industry and the consumer such as renewable hydrogen, e-fuels production and complementary technologies such as novel compressors.
“Deployment of these technologies will provide much needed energy security and low carbon transport solutions and will also drive investment in the region.”
Meanwhile, director at Dublin Offshore Technology Dr Tom Doyle said: “Dublin Offshore welcome the opportunity to work with ESB and CATAGEN to deliver the Malin Sea Wind project and play our part in delivering robust and innovative mooring systems for the floating wind industry. Our project partners ESB recognize the value of our Load Reduction Device in delivering mooring cost and risk reduction and enabling commercial scale deployment of floating offshore wind.”