SSE Renewables has confirmed its intention to apply for a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) for the 800MW Arklow Bank 2 offshore wind farm under Ireland’s new consenting regime.
Transferring Arklow Bank 2 to the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) process allows SSE Renewables to revise the project and substantially increase the power generation output from the site to 800MW, though it will come online at a later date.
The project is expected to require an investment of up to €2.5bn and, under current planning timelines, is expected to deliver in 2028, subject to a final investment decision.
The regime was announced earlier this week by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.
The decision by SSE Renewables to transfer Arklow Bank 2 from the current route of delivery via the Foreshore Act to the MAC regime has been notified to both the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and to the Minister for Planning.
Arklow Bank 2 will now progress through the MAC regime alongside other qualified offshore renewable energy projects in the Irish Sea and off the west coast of the island.
Arklow Bank 2’s operations and maintenance base will continue to be located at Arklow Harbour’s South Dock, where 80 people will be employed to support the wind farm over its operational lifetime.
The proposed onshore underground cable route and the location of the substation at the Avoca River Business Park also remain unchanged.
SSE Renewables will be required to prepare a new environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the wind park’s offshore infrastructure.
The company intends to start a draft EIA later this year as part of the project’s ongoing development.
In December 2021, the MAP Act was introduced by the government to regulate Ireland’s maritime area for various uses including offshore wind energy development.
Under Ireland’s new offshore consenting process, developers must have a MAC to make an application for permission, to include environmental assessments, to An Bord Pleanála.
MAC applicants will be assessed in key areas, including financial and technical competency.
The assessments will be made by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and the first MACs are expected to be issued in the second half of 2022 for the first Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.