A leading offshore wind industry consultancy has raised serious concerns about what it claims is inadequate collaboration between Government departments and State agencies over the development of the sector.
Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions's (GDG) worries were prompted by the announcement of a plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to designate a large part of the north-west Irish sea as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds.
The area will cover more than 230,000 hectares of what the NPWS says are important marine waters for a range of bird species throughout the year.
But according to GDG Geosolutions the planned SPA significantly overlaps a designated site for an offshore wind farm – one of four which recently won approval from the State to provide electricity to the national grid.
The North Irish Sea Array (NISA), off the coast of Dublin, Meath and Louth, aims to provide renewable energy for around 500,000 homes.
"Once again, we find ourselves facing significant barriers hindering strategic offshore energy projects," said Paul Doherty, Director and Founder of Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions.
"This situation could have been avoided if government departments and state agencies had engaged properly with our industry."
"While our sector fully supports measures to conserve habitats and protect seabirds, we urgently need cohesive thinking and real collaboration if we are to contribute towards the slowing of the global rate of temperature rise."
Mr Doherty added that the project's future is now in peril before it even reaches the planning stage.
Statkraft, which is behind the NISA along with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, said protecting the environment is vitally important to it and has been a significant consideration at every stage of the project.
"And we have undertaken years of detailed ornithological surveys and assessments that confirm the project will not have a negative impact on the existing environment," a spokesperson said.
"We therefore look forward to engaging and working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to achieve a positive outcome that will safeguard the environment while delivering clean, sustainable offshore wind energy for Ireland."
Asked about the concerns raised by GDG Geosolutions, the department said notice for the proposed new SPA site provides for a statutory, three month period during which observations may be submitted in relation to the proposed designation.
"Once the three-month period for the Regulation 15 notification has elapsed, a second public notification, known as a Regulation 16 notification, will be issued, and a further three-month period will then begin, during which observations or objections to the proposed designation, based on scientific, ornithological grounds, may be submitted by interested parties," it said.
It added that in keeping with the Birds and Habitats Regulations 2011, following publication of the notice of intention to designate, anyone with an interest in the proposed site can submit an objection or observation based on scientific, ornithological grounds.
The department also said that MARA, the new regulatory agency that will assess planning applications from developers of offshore wind projects and other maritime projects was officially established on July 17.
"The establishment of MARA represents the all-of-government approach to renewable offshore energy and will determine how we develop this valuable resource," it claimed.
