SSE Renewables is seeking an investigative foreshore licence to facilitate survey work for a possible new offshore wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Tarbert, Co. Kerry.
The developer has recently submitted an application for an investigative foreshore licence to Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
It is now seeking approval for investigative surveys of the seabed for an offshore wind project which could generate up to 1GW of clean, renewable energy.
These geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveys are required to inform the renewable energy developer’s understanding of the prevailing environmental and met-ocean conditions at the foreshore investigative array area, which is a minimum of 13km offshore.
This marks SSE Renewables’ first licence application for an offshore wind project off the west coast of Ireland.
The company is developing an Irish offshore pipeline of up to 4GW.
This includes Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 off the coast of Wicklow, and the Celtic Sea Array and Setanta Wind Park projects which are located off Ireland’s south and north-east coasts respectively.
SSE Renewables lead project manager for Blue Seas Development (Ireland) Martin Sweeney said: “Our plans to develop an offshore wind project off the coast of Tarbert, Co. Kerry is a natural step forward in our renewables ambitions for Ireland.
“This will be our first project in the Atlantic Ocean and our experience in developing our Ossian project in the North Sea off Scotland, one of the world’s largest floating offshore wind developments, will be invaluable as we look to leverage the energy potential off Ireland’s west coast.
“Pursuing development opportunities off the west coast is part of our long-term offshore wind strategy in Ireland.
“The selection of this site off the coast of Tarbert allows us to leverage SSE’s existing energy infrastructure in north Kerry and maximise the use of complementary technologies.”