Dublin Array applies for licence to carry out marine surveys

RWE Renewables Ireland Ltd. has applied for a licence to carry out further marine surveys at the site of the proposed Dublin Array offshore wind farm.

The application for a Foreshore Licence has been made to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is open to public submissions until 17.30 on December 17th.

The Dublin Array project is a proposed offshore wind farm which will be located on the Kish and Bray Banks approximately 10 kilometres off the coast of South County Dublin and Wicklow.

It is being developed by RWE Renewables and Saorgus Energy. The project, which is still in the design stage, will comprise between 45 and 61 turbines and will generate between 600 and 900 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy.

RWE Renewables say the Dublin Array project has the potential to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by 1.5m tonnes per annum and to significantly reduce our use of imported fossil gas.

They also say the proposed wind farm will produce enough energy to supply up to approximately 840,000 homes at peak production.

The licence which has been applied for will allow the Dublin Array team to carry out marine geophysical, geotechnical and ecological surveys.

These will help determine the detailed design of the proposed wind farm and the optimal construction approach. The license, if granted, is not a planning consent that allows the project to be constructed.

The Dublin Array project team are hoping to finalise the planning stage design of the project in 2022.

As part of this process the team plan to hold another extensive phase of public consultation.

After this, a development consent (i.e. planning permission) application will be submitted, most likely towards end of 2022 subject to the proposed new planning system under the Maritime Area Planning legislation being in place at that time.

There will then be a further opportunity for public engagement and comment.

To view the full details of the Foreshore Licence application, please visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/foreshore-notice/96643-fs007188-rwe-renewables-ireland-site-investigations-for-the-proposed-dublin-array-ore-development/.

For more information on the Dublin Array project visit www.dublinarray.com