Renewable energy project off Waterford coast reaches new milestone

Construction on a renewable energy project off the coast of Waterford could commence as early as 2026.

That's according to Irish energy provider, Energia Renewables, which recently reached a key milestone in the development of the North Celtic Sea project.

The project is one of the most advanced offshore energy initiatives in the south-east and anywhere in Ireland, and aims to generate clean electricity for over 500,000 Irish homes and businesses.

Geophysical and geotechnical surveys - which measure important information on seabed conditions including water depth, sediment type and habitat distribution - started in April 2022 and were completed in October.

It's hoped the project could begin construction in four years - subject to progressing through statutory approvals - in time to meet Ireland's 2030 climate action targets.

Speaking about reaching the project milestone, Energia Offshore Renewables Manager, Eoin McPartland, said, "We’re at an exciting stage of the North Celtic Sea project off the coast of Waterford. The completion of our seabed surveys is an important milestone as we continue our steady progress to realise the potential of this development for offshore renewable energy in Ireland.

"In an increasingly competitive global market for surveys of this type, with waiting times of up to two years for vessels to survey during available weather windows, it’s very significant that these surveys are now complete so that we can contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 ambitions.

"We will now progress to more detailed design and consultation ahead of the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and will then proceed with a formal planning application in due course." 

Mr McPartland expressed his gratitude to those who helped complete the surveys.

He said, "We’re very grateful to the fishing community for their engagement and discussions with us, which helped us to successfully complete these surveys, and to everyone who has taken part in our consultation processes and our public information clinics to date. We will continue to consult with fishing and local communities and will provide regular updates on our North Celtic Sea project on an ongoing basis.

"We are currently progressing further studies to identify potential grid connection options and suitable locations for construction and operations facilities. This includes ecological surveys to determine the ecology of the seabed and surrounding waters."