Move means ‘exciting times for Arklow’
THERE has been a hugely positive reaction to SSE Renewables’s announcement that it plans to locate the onshore service hub for its Arklow Bank wind farm in Arklow Harbour.
Councillor Pat Fitzgerald (FF), Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, said ‘it is great to get some positive news in what has been a difficult period for many. I very much welcome the announcement today and I must welcome also confirmation that when complete the wind farm is expected to power around a half a million homes each year with green energy offsetting around 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.’
Cllr Pat Kennedy (FF) said it was ‘a great announcement for Wicklow and in particular for the Arklow area.’
‘This announcement coupled with previous announcements re the data centres and the primary centre bodes well for the future of Arklow. I look forward to engaging with SSE over the coming months and years.’
Cllr Sylvester Bourke (FG) said ‘it would a great economic boost for Arklow, subject to the project receiving planning permission’.
Highlighting offshore wind’s potential to help Ireland reach its renewable energy targets, Cllr Bourke said he welcomed the decision and wished the company good luck with the project.
Cllr Tommy Annesley (FF) said he was ‘delighted’ with the announcement and ‘my view is that Arklow and adjoining areas will thrive over the coming years’.
Cllr Peir Leonard (Ind) said she welcomed ‘this fantastic decision by SSE to choose Arklow as its home of operations. I would especially like to thank James O’Hara, Louise Glennan and Deborah Coleman from SSE who have engaged throughout the whole process with myself and the Maritime Business Development Committee and I look forward to working with them and the community stakeholders going forward. Very exciting times ahead for Arklow.’
Cllr Miriam Murphy (Ind) described the announcement by SSE Renewables as ‘brilliant news’.
‘It’s great that Arklow got it and it will bring development to the area and the town. I hope it will come to fruition and I’m sure it will.’
Garrett Dempsey, president of Arklow and District Chamber of Commerce said the development could be critical to the regeneration of the area and the town of Arklow.
‘SSE are renowned for their commitment in ensuring that real economic and social benefits flow into the local community through their investments in new energy infrastructure and aim to support local employment and a local supply chain when developing, constructing and operating the Arklow Bank Wind Park. Overall, the investment will provide a huge economical boost for County Wicklow as a whole.’
Wicklow Fine Gael TD and Minister for Health Simon Harris said, ‘Not only is this is a significant step forward for Ireland’s emerging offshore wind energy sector, it is a massive investment in the future of the Wicklow economy. The development of a new service base in Arklow and the associated infrastructure will create long term sustainable jobs in Arklow.
‘The Arklow Bank Wind Park is uniquely placed to meet Ireland’s power demand. When the Arklow Bank Wind Park is completed in 2025 it will deliver 1GW of offshore wind energy and a 1 per cent reduction in Ireland’s annual carbon emissions.
‘This is a great boost for Arklow that will not only create direct employment but many support industries and jobs in the community, particularly existing maritime businesses.’