Irish Offshore Wind Project Taps COWI for Foundation Design

April 16, 2024, by Adrijana Buljan

The joint venture between Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables, which is developing the 1.3 GW Codling Wind Park offshore wind farm, has contracted the engineering company COWI for the foundation design for Ireland’s Phase One project.

An image showing the location of Codling Wind Park on a map — Source: Codling Wind Park

Under the contract, COWI will deliver Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and Detailed Design of the wind turbine foundations and associated components, and offshore substation foundations.

“Following on from our successful Site Investigation campaign last summer, this is another key milestone in our progress towards project delivery. We look forward to collaborating with COWI to mature the foundation design in support of our ongoing Tier 1 tendering, and beyond to FID,” said Anthony Michelin, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) Director for Codling Wind Park.

“This contract builds on the work that COWI have already been providing for Codling on the onshore Civil Engineering works and builds on the strong working relationship between Codling and COWI.”

The Codling project was one of Ireland’s seven offshore wind farms that were awarded Maritime Area Consents (MACs). Codling Wind Park secured its Contract for Difference (CfD) at a strike price EUR/MWh 89.82.

Located 13 to 22 kilometres off the County Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town, the offshore wind farm could enter construction in 2026-27, subject to it receiving planning permission and all other necessary permits and consents being received.

The planning application for the project is planned to be submitted in summer 2024.

Earlier this month, Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables confirmed a 25 per cent reduction in the number of turbines required to deliver the 1,300 MW offshore wind farm, with the project to feature a maximum of 75 instead of the previously anticipated 100 wind turbines.

The reduction is attributed to advancements in wind turbine technology, including more efficient turbine models, combined with a deeper understanding of the wind farm site, according to the Codling Wind Park joint venture.