SSE Renewables Unveils Plans For Wind Farm Offshore Ireland’s Atlantic Coast
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
SSE Renewables is seeking an investigative foreshore licence to facilitate survey work for a possible new offshore wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Tarbert, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
This Google Map shows the approximate location of Tarbert.
These two paragraphs outline the project.
SSE Renewables has recently submitted an application for an investigative foreshore licence to Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is seeking approval for investigative surveys of the seabed for an offshore wind project which could generate up to 1 GW of energy.
These geophysical, geotechnical, and environmental surveys are required to inform the renewable energy developer’s understanding of the prevailing environmental and met-ocean conditions at the foreshore investigative array area, which is a minimum of 13 kilometres offshore.
This is SSE Renewables’ first licence application for an offshore wind project off the west coast of Ireland.
In SSE Thermal Secures 10-year Contracts For Two New Low-Carbon Power Stations In Ireland, I talked about two biomass power stations at Tarbert in Co. Kerry and Platin in Co. Meath.
It looks like the Tarbert wind farm and power station will work as a team and back each other up.
We Mustn’t Forget Platin!
This Google Map shows Dublin and its position relative to the North Wales coast.
Note.
- Platin is marked by the red arrows to the North of Dublin.
- Platin also appears to be the head office and a manufacturing site of Irish Cement, who probably are a large user of energy.
- The sea between Blackpool, Liverpool, Anglesey and the Isle of Man is full of wind turbines.
These wind farms are located in this area of UK waters.
- Barrow – 30 MW
- Burbo Bank – 90 MW
- Burbo Bank Extension – 258 MW
- Gwynt y Môr – 576 MW
- Ormonde – 150 MW
- Rhyl Flats – 90 MW
- Walney – 367 MW
- Walney Extension – 650 MW
- West Of Duddon Sands – 389 MW
- Mona – 1500 MW – Being Planned
- Morecambe – 480 MW – Being Planned
- Morgan – 1500 MW – Being Planned
- Awel y Môr – 500 MW – Being Planned
Note.
- 2600 MW has been commissioned.
- 3980 MW is being planned.
I would not be surprised to see SSE or one of their friends, build a GW-scale wind farm between Anglesey, Dublin and Dundalk.
Is Ireland apparently lagging behind the UK, because the waters near the Irish coast are deeper and would need still-developing floating wind technology?
Conclusion
It looks like the Irish government and SSE are planning a low-carbon electricity system for Ireland.
The Anonymous Widower 
Ireland has prioritized on shore wind with the land owner being paid 25,000€ yearly ground rent. This is very good return considering low income from farming and many have been constructed due to the generally flat and unobstructed land in Ireland. Land based turbines are cheaper to construct and maintain.
Comment by Ben | April 6, 2023 |
SSE are talking about a 1 GW wind farm, which I’m fairly certain, they want near to Tarbert. I doubt you would be able to build a GW wind farm on land, even in Ireland.
I think SSE’s aim is to have two power complexes at Tarbert and Platin, that are capable of abut 600 MW each guaranteed.
Theit proposed plan of wind/HVO and hydrogen, is not that different to what they’re doing at Keadby near Scunthorpe. Except that Keadby will be about 2 GW.
Mixing offshore wind with a large zero- or low-carbon power station is a good way to go.
Comment by AnonW | April 6, 2023 |
I’m sure you are right about SSE wanting to exploit the synergy of the power station and the opportunity to erect a wind farm, but as you can see the locals are not in favour of the proposal.
https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/locals-take-a-stand-up-against-plans-for-windfarm-27405340.html
As a casual reader of The Kerryman and Clare Champion newspapers, despite the the attractive incentives for land based wind farms the people of West Clare and County Kerry are generally ill disposed to them often raising planning objections.
Comment by fammorris | April 6, 2023 |
One of my friends, is a well-known Irish comedian. There are so many parts to this story, that his type of humour would make it funny without offending anyone. There must be a joke in there about producing energy from recycled chip fat!
Comment by AnonW | April 6, 2023 |