Public consultation has kicked off for SSE Renewables proposed 520MW Arklow Bank phase 2 offshore wind farm off County Wicklow, Ireland.
Members of the public in County Wicklow and North County Wexford are being encouraged to have their say on what could be Ireland’s first large scale offshore wind project, with up to 76 turbines.
The proposed wind farm will be located in shallow waters at the Arklow Bank sandbank in the Irish Sea, which SSE says is ideally suited to the efficient development of offshore energy infrastructure. The foreshore lease covers an area approximately 27km long and 2.5km wide.
SSE says it intends to invest between €1 billion and €2 billion to develop the project, between 6 and 13km off the coast to the east of Arklow.
It will create around 80 full-time jobs to support day-to-day operation, based out of a new purpose-built Operations and Maintenance Facility at Arklow Harbour’s South Dock, SSE added.
In order to comply with Covid-19 restrictions during the public consultation period, details of the project are being shared online with the public via www.sserenewables.com/arklowbank as well as through a number of self-guided exhibitions and a live internet Q&A session.
This virtual approach offers a complete overview of the project including a digital brochure, photomontages of the proposed completed development, and a feedback form where comments and opinions on the project can be submitted.
From this week, members of the public can attend self-guided public information exhibitions at Bridgewater Shopping Centre in Arklow as well as Arklow Town Library, at Wicklow’s Municipal Town Hall, and at Seamount, Courtown.
The exhibitions are unmanned due to Covid-19 restrictions and opening times are in line with venue opening hours and Covid-19 levels at the time.
On Wednesday 4 November, the company will host an online community forum that will include an introduction to the project team, a full briefing on the current status of the project, and the next steps. Members of the public are also being asked to complete a feedback form.
Arklow Bank phase 2 project manager James O’Hara said it was “delighted” to share the information with communities, adding: “We are continuing to progress our plans for the next phase of Arklow Bank Wind Park, which can bring huge benefits and local jobs to the region while helping meet the Government’s 2025 target of securing 1GW of offshore wind.
“It is really important that local stakeholders get an opportunity to engage and share their views on the project ahead of us submitting separate applications to An Bord Pleanála and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government which will allow the project to proceed.
“Community Engagement Manager Deborah Coleman will also be available to the public throughout the public consultation phase.”
SSE said the project could reduce Ireland’s annual carbon emissions by around 1%, offsetting over half a million tonnes of harmful CO2.