Energia Group has appointed Irish surveying and data services firm Green Rebel to carry out geophysical surveys for its proposed new offshore wind farm off the coast of Waterford.
Energia said the surveys, which will be undertaken from April to May this year, subject to weather conditions, will provide important information on the seabed conditions and the ecology of the sea area.
Both Energia and Green Rebel have stressed that the survey area will remain open to fishing during the surveys.
"The data retrieved by Green Rebel will inform the future development of the project, helping Energia’s offshore team to determine suitable locations within the survey area to locate infrastructure and to determine suitable foundation designs while ensuring minimal impact on wildlife and the environment," Energia said in a statement.
Peter Baillie, Managing Director, Energia Renewables said they are delighted to be making continued progress on the delivery of the project.
"The North Celtic Sea project forms part of a multi-billion euro portfolio of investments by Energia as part of the company’s Positive Energy Programme for Ireland, creating jobs and economic benefit for coastal communities, and clean, green electricity on an ongoing basis into the future," he said.
"We’re very pleased to work with Green Rebel as we seek to enable and harness Irish natural resources in wind, to drive the establishment of an indigenous Irish supply chain while underpinning marine based employment.
"As an indigenous Irish energy company, local partnerships are a key element of enabling the establishment of an Irish offshore wind sector," he added.
Mr Baillie said Energia’s offshore wind projects can make a major contribution not just to Ireland’s offshore wind targets but to the decarbonisation of the economy and the requirement to halve our Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030.
"This survey is an important component of the overall package of work required to ensure the project remains on the required pathway for 2030 and to engage early with the Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), once it has been established in Q1 2023," he said.
"Combined, Energia’s North Celtic Sea and South Irish Sea projects could provide up to 1,600MW of renewable offshore wind power capable of generating enough green electricity to power over 1 million homes and avoid more than 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions," he added.
Kieran Ivers, CEO of Green Rebel said the company has recently announced an investment of €20 million in technology to meet what it expects to be the future need from developers of offshore wind.
"Green Rebel continues to grow and represents an example of the companies, jobs and investment that Ireland can expect to grow as the local supply chain evolves with the progression of Offshore Renewable Energy along the Irish coastline," he said.
"Energia Group is a major investor in Ireland's energy generation infrastructure and we are delighted to work with them on this very significant project.
"Our partnership with Energia is a clear example of the benefits that can be achieved as Irish companies work together to achieve a brighter and more sustainable future for our island," he added.
