Planning Set To Be Lodged For Second Windfarm Off Wicklow

Energy producer SSE will this week lodge a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for offshore infrastructure needed for its planned second windfarm on the Arklow Bank off Wicklow.

Energy producer SSE will this week lodge a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for offshore infrastructure needed for its planned second windfarm on the Arklow Bank off Wicklow.The proposals will see up to 56 turbines installed, depending on the finalised design.

The total area across which the array will be built will be 63sq.km along the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford, stretching from south of Wicklow Town to north of Courtown.It is hoped that the capacity of the windfarm will be 800MW, enough to power up to 850,000 homes a year."Our team of over 50 renewable energy professionals supported by a dedicated local supply chain has been working hard to deliver SSE's flagship Irish offshore windfarm - Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 - for almost seven years now," said James O’Hara, Arklow Bank Project Director at SSE Renewables."In doing so, we’re fulfilling the pioneering vision of delivering commercial scale offshore wind at Arklow Bank which dates back almost 20 years to when the first seven turbines were installed at the site and became Ireland’s first and only operational offshore windfarm.""Now, we’re pleased to announce we’re submitting what we believe is a robust and compelling planning application to deliver a world class renewable energy asset at Arklow Bank using the very latest offshore technology that can generate the additional green energy Ireland needs to meet 2030 renewable energy targets in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner."The company said that subject to permission being received and a final investment decision, construction of Arklow Bank 2 could begin as early as 2026 with the first energy generated by 2029.SSE is proceeding with the wind farm despite last year missing out on a supply contract under the State’s first offshore wind auction.At the time the company said it would explore other routes to market.The Maritime Area Planning Application is being submitted by Sure Partners Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of FTSE 100 listed company SSE Plc under SSE Renewables.