Codling Wind Park hits major planning milestone
Published: 09 October, 2024
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has announced it has supported Codling Wind Park, a joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind, to submit an application for planning permission to An Bord Pleanála for the construction, operation and decommissioning of the 1.3GW Codling Wind Park Project – said to be Ireland’s largest Phase 1 project, which has the potential to provide power to more than 1m Irish homes every year and will be critical in helping to meet the county’s 2030 energy targets.
Natural Power says it has worked with the Codling project in various roles, including secondments to the client, and has supported the planning application through intensive study, engagement and surveys, relying on the expertise of up to 40 people across the company's global office network.
Specific roles have included the provision of engineering design and management, preparation of technical employer's requirements for the main packages, management of the tendering and procurement process for services, leading technical negotiations, performing technical due diligence for turbine supply and support optimisation project designs for the ORESS auction strategy.
This most recent project also included the environmental impact assessment (EIAR), comprising marine water quality, subtidal and intertidal ecology, ornithology, offshore bats and material assets and marine infrastructure; and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
Ciaran Farrell, Head of Consulting, Europe at Natural Power, said: “This incredibly complex application was developed to the highest standards by a best-in-industry team over a four-year period, during which time Ireland was in tandem developing most of the legal, planning and regulatory framework for offshore renewable energy – a new industry in the country. The progression of Codling through the planning process sends a clear signal that the offshore sector is moving forward.
“We are confident in our approach and eagerly await the feedback and determination of An Bord Pleanála to hopefully bring this landmark project to fruition and support the production of clean energy that will ultimately prevent the annual release of more than 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere.”
Throughout the project, Natural Power says it has been supporting the project’s ongoing consultations with An Bord Pleanála to ensure the best approach and has also supported alignment with other Phase 1 projects on the east coast of Ireland.
This proposed offshore wind farm consists of a generating station with wind turbine generators in the Irish Sea, approximately 13-22 km off the County Wicklow coast. Offshore and onshore transmission infrastructure will connect the generating station to the shore and to the Irish national grid at Poolbeg, Dublin 4.
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