Utility developer ESB is preparing to re-enter the offshore wind sector with 1GW of targets identified in the UK and Ireland.
ESB is seeking to “develop or acquire” assets starting in 2018 “through a pipeline of projects which are currently going through the consenting process”.
Projects are expected to range in size between 200MW and 500MW although some could be larger. They will be located in the Irish Sea.
ESB is currently looking to beef up its capabilities before embarking on the new initiatives; geotechnical contractors are among those being approached.
The utility was involved in the early stages of offshore wind in Ireland under its Hibernian Wind business alongside developer Saorgus and Eon predecessor Powergen.
It pulled out of the 50MW Kish project off Wicklow in 2005. Saorgus continues to developer the successor 364MW Dublin Array project on the Kish and Bray banks.
Image: Arklow Bank is Ireland’s only offshore wind farm (GE)
