Oriel windfarm plans moves step closer
THE long planned Oriel Windfarm off the Dundalk coast moved a step closer to reality with the announcement last week that the ESB is to take a 35% stake in the project which is being developed by Belgian company Parkwind.
Once completed in four years time, the windfarm will be capable of generating enough power for 280,000 homes or most of the households in counties Louth and Meath.
The Oriel Windfarm will see up to 55 turbines installed 22km off the Dundalk coast, capable of generating up to 330MW of electricity while reducing carbon emissions by up to 600,000 tonnes a year.
The project is at an advanced stage of planning, having secured a conditional foreshore licence and grid connection. The project backers are also awaiting clarity from the Government on the price to be paid for electricity generated before work begins.
A spokesman said construction work was expected to start early in 2021. Around 100 people would be employed in the development phase, with up to 100 long-term jobs when completed. The project will take up to two years to build.
While the technology to be used has not yet been decided, turbine blades are typically between 100 metres and 160 metres.
Parkwind will also take a 35pc stake in another windfarm project off Clogherhead, which is at an earlier stage and is subject to in-depth surveys.
The news has been welcomed by Fine Gael TD Deputy Fergus O’Dowd, who said: “The development of these two wind farms is massive news for County Louth. I am very pleased to see the ESB coming on board in these landmark projects.
‘We have a long way to go in this country in terms of developing our renewable energy potential which is why projects like this one at Oriel are very important.#
‘ The development of capital infrastructure like this in Louth will not only make us less dependent on fossil fuels but also mean we don’t have to import as much energy from other countries. The Oriel project has the potential to cater for the energy needs of every home in Louth and Meath,’ Deputy O’Dowd said.
The news was also welcomed by Green Party councillor Mark Dearey, who recalled atending meetings when the project was first mooted over a decade ago.
‘ The resistance to the idea has moduated over the years,’ he said. ‘I think it’s a trade off between the visual impact and the need for the country to take steps towards a low carbon economy and I think a lot of people understand that.’
He felt that the location of wind turbines out at sea is less problematic than when they are on land, close to people’s houses.
While the cost of producing electricity through wind power was still not cheap, it still makes economic sense.
And he also welcomed the news that plans for nuclear power plants have been dropped.
Japanese firm Toshiba, scrapped plans for a separate plant, Moorside, in Cumbria, north England, last year while Hitachi have paused plans for a plant at Wylfa Newydd in Wales.