DP Energy and Iberdrola have appointed Royal HaskoningDHV together with Mott MacDonald to produce an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the 1GW floating offshore wind Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project.
Royal HaskoningDHV has been awarded the work as lead consultant, alongside Mott MacDonald as a partner consultant, which will be supporting the project from its Dublin and Cork offices.
DP Energy entered into a JV with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects.
Located off the South Coast, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigation surveys being planned.
Once operational, the floating offshore wind farm will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of nearly 860,000 Irish homes.
The project is programmed to be operational by 2030, and will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80%of Ireland’s electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030.
It is also expected to help deliver Ireland’s target of 30GW ofoperational offshore wind by 2030.
The Royal HaskoningDHV and Mott MacDonald report will examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land and wildlife throughout the project lifecycle from site investigations to construction and right through to operation and eventual decommissioning of the wind farm.
The EIAR will also report on the potential impacts of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park on other key receptors including commercial fisheries, fish ecology, landscape, seascape, cultural heritage, tourism, transport and aviation.
DP Energy’s head of offshore Adam Cronin (pictured) said: “This announcement is a significant step in the proposed development of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park and a significant contributor to Ireland reaching its climate action goals.
“RoyalHaskoningDHV are industry leaders in delivering Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and this, coupled with Mott MacDonald’s expertise and local knowledge, will enable us to complete this important project for the south west coast of Ireland.
“We look forward to working together in the years ahead.”
Iberdrola’s offshore development project manager Declan McMahon added: “Inis Ealga is progressing well and this contract marks an important milestone for the project.
“These detailed studies will help us to design an offshore windfarm that willbenefit both local communities and national climate goals.”
Commenting on the appointment, Royal HaskoningDHV’s EIAR project director Alistair Davison said: “We are delighted to be supporting DP Energy and Iberdrola to create the comprehensive and robust EIAR for the Inis Ealga consent application.
“Supporting the development of one of the first major floating offshore wind farms in Ireland is an exciting prospect indeed.
“We are also really pleased to be working with Mott MacDonald.
“Our project teams are integrating well and we feel thisis a strong partnership with great potential.”