Irish Offshore Wind Project Goes for Maximum Capacity with Fewer Turbines

January 4, 2023, by Adrijana Buljan

Codling Wind Park, one of Ireland’s seven offshore wind projects that were recently awarded Maritime Area Consents (MACs), will have a capacity of 1,450 MW and fewer turbines than originally proposed, the developers, EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind, announced on 4 January.

The project, which was previously said to generate between 900 MW and 1,500 MW with up to 140 wind turbines, has received a confirmation from EirGrid that Poolbeg in Ringsend will be the location of the electricity grid connection with 1,450 MW.

To reach this capacity, the project team has concluded that Codling Wind Park would now need a maximum of 100 turbines due to advances in wind turbine technology, a more detailed understanding of the wind farm site.

With 1,450 MW of generation capacity, the offshore wind farm, planned to be built off the County Wicklow coast, is said to be able to generate enough renewable electricity to meet over 20 per cent of Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind targets.

New details about the project were announced ahead of the second round of public consultation, which will be taking place from 11 January to 8 February. Feedback gathered as part of the consultation process will feed into the ongoing development of the project, and updated proposals will be presented at a third phase of public consultation later this year.

Having both the Maritime Area Consent and the grid connection agreement from EirGrid in place, Codling Wind Park is now eligible to participate in the first Offshore Renewable Electricity Scheme (ORESS) auction in the coming months. If successful, the project will then submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála later this year, the developers said.

According to the Codling Wind Park joint venture, the 1,450 MW project is the largest Phase One offshore wind project in Ireland.

“We are excited not only to deliver one of the largest energy infrastructure investments ever seen in Ireland, but to also help the country realise its enormous potential and become a world leader in offshore wind. Our total focus now is on progressing the Codling Wind Park project through the ORESS auction and into planning. The awarding of a MAC and the confirmation of our grid location and capacity were key steps in that process”, said Co-Project Director Scott Sutherland.

The project is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the construction phase and 75 new, long-term jobs associated with its proposed Operations and Maintenance Base at Wicklow Port, according to the joint venture.

Subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026, and is expected to take two to three years to complete.