SSE Renewables has selected Arklow Harbour on Ireland’s east coast as the preferred location for the operations and maintenance base for its planned 520MW Arklow Bank 2 offshore wind farm.
The base will be located at the harbour’s south dock and will be home to 80 full-time employees who will be recruited to carry out O&M for the wind farm.
It will comprise a new purpose-built office, warehouse buildings and adjacent quayside berthing for up to four crew transfer vessels.
The development will support companies across the supply chain, including those involved in vessel services and site survey, hospitality, fuel, consultancy, logistics and stevedoring.
SSE Renewables will now start an extensive development programme to further progress delivery of the base.
This includes entering discussions in the coming months with Wicklow County Council to agree updates to existing lease agreements, and applying to the local authority in early 2021 for planning permission for the purpose-built complex.
Arklow Harbour was chosen ahead of Wicklow Port following a detailed assessment of the facilities at both locations.
The assessment included extensive consultation by SSE Renewables with existing marine users at each location, including commercial, fisheries and recreational interests.
SSE Renewables has entered into land option agreements at Arklow’s South Dock to progress the development.
The options include an option to purchase an industrial yard which forms part of the site known locally as ‘The Old Shipyard’ for the offices and warehousing.
The company has also entered into option agreements to ‘step into’ two existing lease agreements with Wicklow County Council for adjoining industrial land which also forms part of ‘The Old Shipyard’ site, as well as an area of quayside for the vessel berthing and pontoons.
Wicklow County Council cathaoirleach Irene Winters said: “SSE Renewables’ announcement is a great vote of confidence for County Wicklow.
“This project will place Ireland well on its way towards achieving its objective of generating 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
“It provides great opportunities to build on County Wicklow’s maritime traditions by providing skilled employment opportunities, skills transfer, training and development, and spin off investment for both Wicklow and Arklow.
“This places us well on our way towards achieving our goal of developing County Wicklow as a centre of excellence for the offshore renewable energy sector.”
SSE Renewables director of development Barry Kilcline said: “We are delighted to confirm Arklow Harbour as the new home for our Operations and Maintenance Base for Arklow Bank Wind Park.
“The new base will play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the planned offshore wind farm.
“Around 80 full-time employees will be recruited in the coming years to work out of the base to operate and maintain the wind farm, ensuring we safely and reliably generate renewable energy to power half a million homes daily and meet Ireland’s carbon reduction targets.
“While Arklow’s south dock has been selected as the preferred base location, both Wicklow Port and Arklow Harbour offer very attractive facilities for any offshore wind developer.
“We are very confident that both Wicklow and Arklow will see significant commercial uplift and urban regeneration as a result of the economic boost from our planned investment in the construction and operation of Arklow Bank Wind Park in the years ahead.
“I would like to thank Wicklow County Council which has been very progressive in its support of Ireland’s emerging offshore wind energy sector. As a result,
“County Wicklow is in pole position to become Ireland’s ‘offshore energy centre of excellence’.
“We greatly appreciate the support and advice of Wicklow County Council in progressing our plans for our entire project, and we look forward to working with the members and officials of the local authority to bring Arklow Bank Wind Park to fruition for the benefit of the entire county.”
Wicklow County Council chief executive Frank Curran said: “Today’s announcement by SSE Renewables is very positive news for County Wicklow.
“The Blue Economy is an important pillar in the county’s economic development strategy. The development of the Arklow Bank wind park and the decision to site the operations and maintenance base here will act as a catalyst for the regeneration and renewal of Arklow Harbour and indeed the entire town.
“This will dovetail with the development of the wastewater treatment plant, the flood defence scheme other exciting developments announced by locally based companies and will be transformative for the entire area.”