Irish renewables developer DP Energy and Iberdrola have published an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping report for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park floating wind project proposed of Ireland’s south coast.
The EIA scoping report sets out the proposed scope of, and methodology for use in the preparation of, the future EIA for the project.
The future EIA will outline the potential effects that the project, if carried out, could have on the surrounding onshore and offshore environment.
Located off the coast of counties Cork and Waterford, Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park has the potential to have a capacity of up to 1GW.
Consultation on the EIA Scoping Report is now open until 21 September 2022, with a copy of the EIA Scoping Report available for review at locations, including Carrigaline, Midleton, Youghal and Cork City from 18 July.
Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigations being planned.
The project is expected to be operational by 2030.
Royal HaskoningDHV and Mott MacDonald were appointed earlier this year to develop a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report to examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land, wildlife and human populations.
Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Senior Project Manager, said: “Offshore wind has a positive role to play in Ireland`s energy transition and in creating economic opportunities.
“The EIA Scoping Report is an important step forward in the process of ensuring that the project is designed in the best way possible.”