The developers of the 1500MW Codling Wind Park offshore wind project have filed an application for maritime area consent (MAC) with the Irish Government.
The MAC is a new regulatory requirement for marine-based projects, which came into effect following the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act in December 2021.
If Codling Wind Park’s application is successful, it will allow the project to compete in the first Offshore Renewable Electricity Scheme auction, which is due to open later this year, and to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála.
The project has also announced changes to its management team, with the partners – EDF Renewables and Fred Olsen Seawind – becoming more directly involved in the day-to-day running of what is a “strategically important” project for both companies.
Thomas Gellert, currently senior vice president of project execution at Fred Olsen Seawind, and Scott Sutherland, head of offshore wind at EDF Renewables, have been appointed as co-project directors.
They will take up their joint leadership role straight away, with former director Arno Verbeek continuing as a senior advisor to the partners.
Gellert said: “Ireland is a hugely important market for Fred. Olsen Seawind and Codling Wind Park is our flagship project.
“I am excited to be joining such a successful team and look forward to not only delivering one of the largest energy infrastructure investments in Ireland this decade, but to helping the country realise its potential and become a world leader in offshore wind.”
Sutherland added: “Our total focus now is on progressing the Codling Wind Park project through the ORESS auction and into planning.
“The submission of our MAC application is another step in this process.”
Subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2025, and is expected to take two to three years to complete.