Oriel Wind Farm to Submit Planning Application for 375MW Offshore Project in North Irish Sea
Oriel Wind Farm is set to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) later this week for its proposed 375MW offshore wind project in the North Irish Sea.
Located off the north County Louth coast, the project will feature 25 turbines. The application includes plans for both offshore and onshore electricity substations, as well as the necessary submarine and underground cables to support the new green energy initiative.
Developed by JERA Nex through its subsidiary Parkwind, along with ESB, Oriel is among the first planned offshore wind farms in Ireland.
Garrett Connell, Parkwind’s country manager for Ireland, commented, “This is a significant milestone, not just for Oriel and the north-east region, but for Ireland’s energy sector and economy. We’ve worked on Oriel for nearly 20 years, engaging with local communities and stakeholders, and we encourage their participation in the planning process with An Bord Pleanála.”
The planning process is anticipated to take up to 12 months. If approved, construction could begin in 2026, with the wind farm potentially operational by 2028, making it Ireland’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm.
The planning process requires a direct application to An Bord Pleanála, followed by an eight-week period for observations or submissions from the public.
Although Oriel did not secure a state-subsidised contract in last year’s Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme auction, the project’s development continues, with plans to sell the generated electricity into the Irish market.
Conor Martin, investment manager for ESB, stated, “Subject to planning approval, Oriel will significantly contribute to Ireland’s target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The Climate Action Plan 2023 aims for at least 7GW of offshore wind by 2030, and Oriel is poised to lead in this effort.”
In December 2022, Oriel received Maritime Area Consent (MAC) from Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Communications Eamon Ryan. This new formal consent allows offshore wind projects to apply for planning permission with ABP. The MAC enabled Oriel to engage with ABP representatives in recent months.
The project’s final design is based on comprehensive scientific studies and consultations with local and national stakeholders.
Source: https://renews.biz/93282/parkwind-esb-submit-plans-for-irish-project/
