EDF Renewables and Fred Olsen Seawind have confirmed a 25% reduction in the number of turbines planned for the 1300MW Codling wind farm off east Ireland.
It had been had previously been thought around 100 turbines would be needed, but announcing the details of the project’s final design and layout today the developers of the scheme confirmed a maximum of 75 and a minimum of 60 machines would now be required.
The minimum proposed unit tip height has also been set at 288 metres, with a maximum of 314 metres.
Although this is a significant reduction in machines, the developers said the site will still generate 1.3GW of clean electricity, enough to power over one million homes. According to the CSO this amounts to almost half of all permanent dwellings in Ireland.
While the original estimate for the number of unts required had been put at around 440, huge advances in turbine technology, and more efficient models combined with a more detailed understanding of the wind farm site, means a maximum of 75 units – a reduction of 83% – will now be required.
The project, which will be located approximately 13km to 22km off the Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town is a 50/50 joint venture between Fred Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables.
When operational, it will help Ireland meet over 26% of its 2030 grid connected offshore wind targets while also helping the country achieve its target of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable energy by the same year, said the developers.
The new details about the project were announced ahead of a third and final series of public engagements which will be taking place this month. The series will include a number of exhibitions and dedicated information clinics in Wicklow Library, at a pop-up shop in Greystones and in Sandymount Community Centre.
The exhibitions and information clinics will provide members of the public as well as public representatives with further details on the design and layout as well details on the various onshore and offshore environmental, technical and feasibility surveys which have been carried out as part of the project.
Virtual reality headsets will also be available to attendees, enabling them to view the project from a variety of perspectives.
Project director Scott Sutherland said everyone at Codling Wind Park was looking forward to sharing details of the final design with members of the local communities and other stakeholders ahead of submitting the planning application for the project.
“This is one of the largest energy infrastructure investments ever seen in Ireland and a tremendously exciting one to work on,” he said.
“As well as supplying over a quarter of Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind target, Codling Wind Park will support Irish energy independence, help stabilise the cost of electricity for Irish consumers and will displace 1.7m tonnes of carbon.
“It will also help the country realise its enormous potential to become a world leader in offshore wind.
“Through various rounds of public consultation, we have listened to the people of Wicklow Ringsend and Poolbeg and incorporated their feedback into the design where possible.
“The reduction and layout of the reduced number of turbines was always key in that regard.
“The design of the project has been informed by a range of inputs including geophysical, aerial and vessel-based surveys – some going back over 15 years – which have all fed into an extremely detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report which forms a critical part of the planning application.”
As well as details of the turbine numbers and layout, a Community Benefit Fund of up to €200m will be established as part of the project to fund local community-based projects.
The aim of the fund, which will be administered by an experienced and independent Fund Administrator, as part of the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS), is to deliver economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits to local community groups over a 20-year period.
Mr Sutherland said the €10m per year fund, one of the biggest anywhere in the world, would not become available until after the project had received planning and begun construction.
He urged community groups to consider what projects or initiatives they would like to benefit from the fund.
When developed, Codling Wind Park will be Ireland’s largest offshore wind farm. The project is expected to create over 1000 jobs in the construction phase and 75 new, long-term jobs associated with its proposed Operations and Maintenance Base.
Subject to it receiving planning permission and all other necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026-27. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.
To find out more about Codling Wind Park, its final design and the series of public information meetings which will be taking place in the coming weeks please visit www.codlingwindpark.ie