DP Energy has submitted a marine licence application to Northern Ireland authorities for its 100MW Fair Head tidal array off the Antrim coast.
The Irish developer is seeking permission from Belfast’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to install tidal turbines on the seabed and associated infrastructure to bring the power ashore.
DP Energy intends for Fair Head to be developed in two stages.
“The first stage would be to install an array of perhaps four to six turbines,” said project manager Clodagh McGrath.
“The second stage would be more substantial, completing the scheme’s 100MW output, which we calculate would supply enough energy to power some 70,000 homes.”
DP estimates 340 temporary jobs would be created during construction of the full 100MW development, followed by some 75 permanent jobs during the operational phase, lasting up to 25 years.
Image: Impression of the Fair Head tidal array
Belfast weighs Fair Head plan
Planning application lodged for 100MW DP Energy project off Antrim
By EBS