Energia Renewables has completed seabed surveys off the coast of Waterford, Ireland, for the North Celtic Sea offshore wind project.
Subject to progressing through statutory approvals, Energia said the project could enter construction in 2026 in time to meet Ireland’s 2030 climate action targets.
Following the award of a Foreshore Licence in September 2021, the geophysical and geotechnical surveys started in April 2022 and were completed in October.
The surveys measured important information on seabed conditions including water depth, sediment type and habitat distribution.
The information from the surveys will inform the continued project design including the number, size and optimum placement of the wind turbines.
Energia Offshore Renewables Manager Eoin McPartland said: “We’re at an exciting stage of the North Celtic Sea project off the coast of Waterford.
“We will now progress to more detailed design and consultation ahead of the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and will then proceed with a formal planning application in due course.
“We’re very grateful to the fishing community for their engagement and discussions with us, which helped us to successfully complete these surveys, and to everyone who has taken part in our consultation processes and our public information clinics to date.
“We will continue to consult with fishing and local communities and will provide regular updates on our North Celtic Sea project on an ongoing basis.”
The developer is progressing further studies to identify potential grid connection options and suitable locations for construction and operations facilities.
This includes ecological surveys to determine the ecology of the seabed and surrounding waters.
In addition to the North Celtic Sea project, Energia Renewables is also progressing the South Irish Sea offshore project off the coasts of Wexford and Wicklow with seabed surveys for this project nearing completion.