WICKLOW LOSES OUT TO ARKLOW FOR ONSHORE WIND FARM HUB
ARKLOW HARBOUR HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE SITE OF THE ONSHORE SERVICE BASE FOR PHASE 2 OF THE ARKLOW BANK OFFSHORE WIND FARM PROJECT
ARKLOW received another welcome boost as SSE Renewables confirmed the South Dock as the preferred location for the onshore maintenance hub for the Arklow Bank wind farm.
The company made the announcement on Monday morning at a virtual meeting with members of Wicklow County Council after a year-long assessment process of Arklow Harbour and Wicklow Port. The new development is expected to bring a jobs boost for the town with up to 80 full-time roles created to service and maintain the offshore wind farm.
The new base at Arklow Harbour’s South Dock will operate as a hub for the planned 520MW Arklow Bank wind farm phase 2. The facility will include a purpose-built office and warehouse buildings as well as adjacent quayside berthing for up to four crew transfer vessels.
Barry Kilcline, Director of Development at SSE Renewables, said: ‘We are delighted to confirm Arklow Harbour as the new home for our Operations and Maintenance Base for Arklow Bank Wind Park. The new base will play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the planned offshore wind farm. Around 80 full-time employees will be recruited in the coming years to work out of the base to operate and maintain the wind farm, ensuring we safely and reliably generate renewable energy to power half a million homes daily and meet Ireland’s carbon reduction targets.
‘While Arklow’s South Dock has been selected as the preferred base location, both Wicklow Port and Arklow Harbour offer very attractive facilities for any offshore wind developer. We are very confident that both Wicklow and Arklow will see significant commercial uplift and urban regeneration as a result of the economic boost from our planned investment in the construction and operation of Arklow Bank Wind Park in the years ahead.
‘I would like to thank Wicklow County Council which has been very progressive in its support of Ireland’s emerging offshore wind energy sector. As a result, County Wicklow is in pole position to become Ireland’s ‘Offshore Energy Centre of Excellence’. We greatly appreciate the support and advice of Wicklow County Council in progressing our plans for our entire project, and we look forward to working with the members and officials of the local authority to bring Arklow Bank Wind Park to fruition for the benefit of the entire county.’
SSE Renewables has previously indicated it plans to invest up to €2 billion in the Arklow Bank wind farm project.
Councillor Irene Winters, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, said: ‘SSE Renewables’ announcement is a great vote of confidence for County Wicklow. This project will place Ireland well on its way towards achieving its objective of generating 70 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. It provides great opportunities to build on County Wicklow’s maritime traditions by providing skilled employment opportunities, skills transfer, training and development, and spin off investment for both Wicklow and Arklow.
‘This places us well on our way towards achieving our goal of developing County Wicklow as a Centre of Excellence for the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector.’
SSE Renewables said it has entered into land option agreements at Arklow’s South Dock to progress the development. These include an option to purchase an industrial yard which forms part of the site known as ‘The Old Shipyard’ on the harbour’s South Dock.
The company has also entered into option agreements to ‘step into’ two existing lease agreements with the local authority for adjoining industrial land which also forms part of ‘The Old Shipyard’ site, as well as an area of quayside at the
South Dock for vessel berthing and pontoons. SSE Renewables said it would begin a development process which will include applying to the local authority for planning permission for the base in early 2021.
The new hub also has the potential to support other businesses in areas including services and site survey, hospitality, fuel, consultancy and logistics, bringing the potential.
SSE Renewables said it hopes to deliver the next phase of the Arklow Bank wind farm by 2025. Once completed, the wind farm is expected to power around half a million homes each year.
Frank Curran, chief executive of Wicklow County Council, said the announcement was ‘very positive news for County Wicklow’.
‘The Blue Economy is an important pillar in the county’s economic development strategy. The development of the Arklow Bank Wind Park and the decision to site the operations and maintenance base here will act as a catalyst for the regeneration and renewal of Arklow Harbour and indeed the entire town.
‘This will dovetail with the development of the wastewater treatment plant, the flood defence scheme other exciting developments announced by locally based companies and will be transformative for the entire area.’
Sinn Fein TD John Brady described it as a great opportunity for employment in Arklow and the county.
‘It is critically important that as many of the jobs that will be created will be for local people. SSE Renewables is targeting a delivery date of 2025 for the Arklow Bank project.
‘I have contacted the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Dept of Education and Skills and asked them to look at developing education and upskilling courses which would help people access these jobs once they come about.’
Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore said the decision was ‘validation of Arklow’s potential as a hub for our future renewable energy development in the country. It’s also confirmation of Wicklow’s potential as a regional leader of marine planning and development and I hope it doesn’t end at SSE’s recent decision.’
[THE] ANNOUNCEMENT IS A GREAT VOTE OF CONFIDENCE...IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD ON WICKLOW’S MARITIME TRADITIONS