Marine services provider Green Rebel Marine has acquired an aircraft to conduct aerial surveys in relation to offshore wind off the Irish coast.
The €1.5m purchase of a DA42 multi-purpose aircraft will enable the survey of thousands of square miles of ocean due to undergo ecological assessment as part of the planning process for offshore wind farms.
The new aircraft will be based at Cork Airport, and will result in the creation of 15 new jobs, said Green Rebel Marine.
These jobs are in addition to the 80 announced by Green Rebel Marine in September.
With the purchase of its own survey aircraft, Green Rebel Marine said it will be the only domestic Irish company offering digital aerial surveys for offshore wind development companies.
Green Rebel Marine has already acquired Crosshaven Boatyard in County Cork, and the first in a fleet of survey vessels, the Bibby Athena.
Green Rebel Marine aerial surveys head Sarah Kandrot said: “Off-shore energy is part of the green revolution, however the granting of licences for these wind farms is dependent on detailed surveys of the ocean to catalogue the ecology of the target areas.
“The purchase of this aircraft means that large sections can be digitally surveyed over a shorter period of time, with the aircraft flying at heights that will not disturb birds or marine megafauna.
“Ultimately, the information we compile will ensure that offshore wind farms are built in the best locations to protect the ecology of the ocean.”