Two wind energy firms are applying for planning permission to build a new wind farm off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow.
They are proposing to build between 39 and 50 wind turbines ten kilometres off the coast of the two counties, an operating base in Dún Laoghaire harbour and a new substation at Jamestown, Dublin 18.
The application for what will be called the Dublin Array offshore wind farm will be submitted to to An Bord Pleanála in the coming days by Kish Offshore Wind Limited and Bray Offshore Wind Limited and is a joint venture between RWE and Saorgus Energy.
The farm would be capable of generating up to 824 megawatts of renewable electricity, is likely to employ 800 people during construction and will create 80 direct and 160 indirect jobs in the longer term.
Those behind the project also say locating its operational base in Dún Laoghaire would generate an estimated €450 million to €6503m in expenditure in the Greater Dublin Area over the lifetime of the wind farm.
It could begin construction in 2027 and be in operation by 2030.
The Dublin Array project says they plan to deliver a Community Benefit Fund of up to €6.5m a year for 20 years and will communicate with local communities about the development.
Vanessa O' Connell, RWE Renewables Ireland, Dublin Array Project Director said: "We have had extensive consultations and communications with stakeholders and local communities in recent years, this has been with the aim of keeping people informed about the project and to seek their views and inputs.
"RWE has a strong track record of working closely with communities in areas where we operate offshore wind projects, and that will also be the case with Dublin Array."
