SSE Renewables has reaffirmed its commitment to the future delivery of its proposed up to 800MW Arklow Bank Wind Park 2, despite the project missing out in Ireland’s first competitive auction.
Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 is being developed in an area situated between 6km and 15km to the east of Arklow.
The project, which builds on the existing seven GE-owned turbines that comprise the operational first phase of the wind park, would comprise between 36 and a maximum of 60 machines situated on the Arklow Bank.
Construction of Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 would require an investment of up to €2.5bn and had been targeting first power in 2028 and completion in 2029, subject to securing a route to market and a final investment decision.
Once operational the wind farm would also deliver a multi-million-euro annual community fund.
SSE Renewables will now proceed to submit a planning application later this year to Ireland’s planning board, An Bord Pleanala, whilst it explores ORESS contracts and other routes to market.
Managing director of SSE Renewables Stephen Wheeler said: “While we are disappointed with the auction result, Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 is an important project in our offshore pipeline, and we remain committed to its delivery.
“We will now take time to assess the outcome of this result and the options available to us to secure a route to market for this project which, we believe, has a vital role to play in contributing to Ireland’s climate action targets, to Ireland’s homegrown energy security, and to the national and regional economy – in particular, to the economic wellbeing of County Wicklow and North Wexford.
“In the meantime, we will continue to progress the Arklow Bank 2 development including preparation of a planning application which we will submit to An Bord Pleanála later this year seeking permission to construct the project.”
The development was granted a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, in December 2022 enabling the project to begin its pre-planning application engagement under the new Maritime Area Planning Act process with Ireland’s planning board, An Bord Pleanala.
SSE Renewables intends to submit a planning application to the authority later this year to build out the project.