A planning application is to be submitted next week for the Codling Wind Park, the new offshore wind farm off the Wicklow coast.
If approved by An Bord Pleanála, the renewable energy project will have a capacity of 1,300 MW and will be able to supply power to up to 1 million Irish homes.
Between 60 and 75 turbines will be installed if it gets the go-ahead and they will be situated between 13km and 22km off the Wicklow coast.
The array of turbines will then connect back to into the grid at Poolbeg in Dublin.
"This is a big moment for climate action, for Irish energy independence and for the local communities who will share in the benefits of the project," said Project Director of Codling Wind Park, Scott Sutherland.
"This is one of the largest energy infrastructure investments ever seen in Ireland and a tremendously exciting project to work on."
"We are very confident in our application which is informed by detailed surveys, studies and assessments of the local environment and consultation with stakeholders, which aligns with the highest Irish and international standards of environmental assessment and planning."
However, with other windfarms planned for along the east coast, including off Wicklow, some local opposition is emerging to the plans.
An organisation called the South East Coast Protection Alliance has recently begun campaigning against separate plans by SSE Renewables to install 56 wind turbines on the Arklow bank off Wicklow.
They claim the windfarm will be too close to the coast and have called for it to be moved further out to sea.
But the wind industry claims that offshore wind will be an integral part of the State's decarbonisation plans.
Codling Wind Park, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewable, claims its project will account for just over a quarter of Ireland’s entire 2030 target for grid connected offshore energy.
"The project that is being put forward for planning strikes the right balance between environmental considerations and technical feasibility, as well as different environmental constraints," said Scott Sutherland.
"The application takes a conservative and comprehensive account of a broad range of considerations including the local seabed and tidal conditions, visual landscapes and seascapes, geology, archaeology, marine life, ornithology and protected sites."
"The application is the culmination of years of hard work by the project team and we look forward to progressing it through the planning system, and then delivering the full range of economic and environmental benefits that the project will bring for Ireland, for climate change and for people locally."
If approved by planners and once permits are issued, the Codling Wind Park backers hope construction could begin in 2026-27, and that it could be generating power by 2030.
1,000 jobs will be created during construction with 75 long term operations and maintenance roles also set to be created.
