Shell has signed an agreement with Simply Blue Group to acquire a 51% share in the latter’s Western Star venture, which seeks to develop a floating wind farm off Ireland’s County Clare coast.
The joint venture will seek to co-develop up to 1.35GW in total, broken down as 300MW-450MW in the first phase with 700MW-900MW to follow.
The first phase of the project could include turbines with capacities between 15MW and 18MW.
Western Star Joint Venture will be developed by Simply Blue Group personnel and Shell floating wind experts, with the project office based at Simply Blue Group Headquarters in Cork.
Shell offshore wind general manager for Europe Hessel de Jong said: “Shell has a clear ambition to be a net zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society.
“We aim to provide more renewable power to consumers and businesses alike.
“Working alongside coastal communities to create shared value is key to success for both the Western Star floating wind project and the previously announced Emerald project, which is why we have chosen to work with Simply Blue Group.”
Simply Blue Group co-founder and chief commercial director Hugh Kelly said: “There is tremendous wind potential off the west coast of Ireland and Simply Blue Group is delighted to partner once again with Shell to jointly develop the Western Star project.
“The project will utilise floating offshore wind technology to produce zero-carbon electricity and will greatly help Ireland progress towards a green energy future with domestically sourced sustainable electricity delivering both environmental and economic benefits to the entire country.
“Simply Blue Group are committed to developing floating offshore wind projects in Ireland.”