Iberdrola and DP Energy Power Ahead with Large-Scale Irish Floater

Iberdrola and DP Energy have appointed Royal HaskoningDHV together with Mott MacDonald to lead the production of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project offshore Ireland.

The 1GW Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is located off the South Coast of Ireland.

Royal HaskoningDHV has been awarded the work as lead consultant, alongside Mott MacDonald as a partner consultant, which will be supporting the project from its Dublin and Cork offices.

”This announcement is a significant step in the proposed development of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park and a significant contributor to Ireland reaching its climate action goals,” Adam Cronin, DP Energy’s Head of Offshore, said.

”Royal HaskoningDHV are industry leaders in delivering Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and this, coupled with Mott MacDonald’s expertise and local knowledge, will enable us to complete this important project for the south west coast of Ireland. We look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

DP Energy entered into a joint venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3 GW pipeline of offshore wind projects.

The Inis Ealga project is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigation surveys being planned.

Once operational, the floating offshore wind farm will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of nearly 860,000 Irish homes. The project is programmed to be operational by 2030, the developers said.

Royal HaskoningDHV and Mott MacDonald will deliver a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report to examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land, and wildlife throughout the project lifecycle from site investigations to construction and right through to operation and eventual decommissioning of the wind farm.

The EIAR will also report on the potential impacts of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park on other key receptors including commercial fisheries, fish ecology, landscape, seascape, cultural heritage, tourism, transport, and aviation.

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Project Manager, said: ”Inis Ealga is progressing well and this contract marks an important milestone for the project. These detailed studies will help us to design an offshore windfarm that will benefit both local communities and national climate goals.”

A public information evening took place for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project last month, with a series of public consultation events to be announced over the coming period.

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