Public asked to give their views on plans to connect offshore windfarms to national grid
The Department of the Environment has designated a vast area of ocean off the south-east coast for the development of four offshore windfarms. File picture
EirGrid has urged people to give their views on its emerging plans for connecting the first of a series of vast new offshore windfarms off the south-east coast to the national grid.
The operator of Ireland’s electricity grid opened a 10-week period of public consultation on the plans in November, and has issued a reminder the deadline for submissions is Friday, January 24.
EirGrid said it wanted to hear from people about the proposed on- and offshore station locations, and about the various landfall locations and grid connection points that will be required in parts of Cork, Waterford and Wexford to connect the first of four proposed new offshore windfarms to the national grid.
As part of Ireland’s ambition to produce 80% of electricity from clean renewable sources, as outlined in the government’s Climate Action Plan, EirGrid has been tasked by government to deliver a plan for connecting offshore wind to the electricity grid.
The Department of the Environment has designated a vast area of ocean off the south-east coast for the development of four offshore windfarms under a plan called the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan — Ireland’s first spatial plan for offshore renewable energy.
The first area that will host offshore wind farm development, an area known as Tonn Nua, is the subject of this round of public consultation, which sets out options on how EirGrid plans to connect any future offshore windfarms in this area of ocean to the national grid through offshore stations, subsea cables and potential landfall sites, and onshore infrastructure.
When delivered, the infrastructure will have the capacity to bring 900 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity onto the national grid — enough to power nearly a million homes.
EirGrid plans to host another online information webinar on Monday, January 13, from 7pm to 8pm, but will continue accepting submissions online or by post until January 24.
EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer Michael Mahon said the submissions they have received to date show people want a say in how grid infrastructure is developed.
“And we are listening,” he said.
“We believe these offshore wind projects are a key opportunity for Ireland, both in meeting climate targets and creating lasting economic benefits for local communities.”
You can get more details on EirGrid’s Powering Up Offshore South Coast project here.
