EDF Renewables and Simply Blue Enter Floating Offshore Wind Partnership in Ireland

May 31, 2023, by Adnan Memija

EDF Renewables Ireland has entered into a partnership with Simply Blue Group to develop the Western Star and Emerald floating offshore wind projects.

The 50:50 joint venture partners will now seek to progress the two projects to meet the Irish Government’s targets to have 2 GW of floating wind in development by 2030. According to the partners, both parties see great potential in the scale of opportunity for floating offshore wind in Ireland off the south and west coasts.

Ireland’s Offshore Energy Programme includes a target to deliver 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030.

“The partnership is ideally placed to deliver for Phase 3 of offshore wind in Ireland. This is key to kick-starting floating offshore wind, which will have a transformational positive impact on Ireland’s maritime and energy landscape, including the coastal communities in Cork and Clare”, said Val Cummins, Project Managing Director for Emerald and Western Star.

The partnership is subject to merger clearance expected in the coming months.

The Western Star floating wind project will be located at least 35 kilometres off the west coast of Clare in waters over 100 metre deep and have a total capacity of up to 1.35 GW.

The Emerald floating offshore wind project is planned to be located off the south coast of Cork and will have a total capacity of up to 1.3 GW. The two projects would together generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately two million Irish homes.

“We are very pleased to sign the partnership on these two exciting floating offshore wind projects. Emerald and Western Star will complement our flagship, fixed-bottom foundation, Codling Wind Park development off the east coast of Ireland, diversifying our offshore portfolio in Ireland and strengthening our position as a key player in the Irish and UK offshore markets”, said Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK and Ireland.

“Simply Blue’s expertise in floating offshore wind, with over 10GW of floating projects in development globally, has been brought to bear on the selection of the two sites, following extensive stakeholder engagement and initial environmental assessments”, said Sam Roch Perks, CEO of Simply Blue Group.

Last year, Shell decided to withdraw from the two floating offshore wind projects which the company said was a “portfolio decision”.