Ireland-based floating wind developer Simply Blue set up new offices in Blackrock in Cork relocating its headquarters from Ardmore.
The move includes the recruitment of a team of eight offshore engineers, environmental scientists, marine specialists and project managers, including Val Cummins, as operations and Ireland projects director.
Simply Blue managing director and co-founder Sam Roch-Perks said Cork Harbour is the “gateway” to the Emerald floating wind project.
“With excellent port and dockyard facilities and an ecosystem of maritime skills and services, we anticipate the future development of the harbour as an internationally significant hub for floating offshore wind, which has influenced our decision to locate here,” said Roch-Perks.
The company is pursuing a number of project, including the 1GW Emerald floating wind scheme off Cork.
The developer is planning the floating wind farm, which could consist of up to 67 turbines, near the former Kinsale gas fields.
Simply Blue is also part of a joint venture partnership with Total, called Blue gem, to develop an initial 96MW floating wind project off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales.