ESB and Parkwind Put 500 MW Irish Offshore Wind Project on Hold

October 17, 2024, by Adnan Memija

ESB and Belgium’s Parkwind have decided to halt survey activities for their planned 500 MW Clogherhead offshore wind project in Ireland, pausing until the government outlines suitable areas for offshore developments.

According to the project’s recent update, there are no further surveys planned for Clogherhead while the offshore wind farm awaits further policy clarity from the government regarding the location of the Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP).

“This is part of the government’s plan-led approach to the delivery of offshore wind in Ireland”, said the developers.

“ESB and Parkwind believe the Clogherhead site is optimally suited for the delivery of offshore wind in Ireland and continue to monitor any government announcements in relation to any possible East Coast DMAPs which will allow for further development of the Clogherhead project.”

The Clogherhead offshore wind farm, planned to be built approximately 10 kilometres off the County Louth coast, is being developed by Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in partnership with Parkwind. The 500 MW project is the second of its kind co-developed by this partnership, the first being the Oriel offshore wind farm.

So far, the developers have carried out environmental assessments, site investigations, and community engagement for the Clogherhead offshore wind farm.

The site investigation activities include offshore surveys with geophysical and MetOcean survey campaigns completed during 2022 and 2023.