An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to SSE Renewables to develop onshore grid infrastructure for its proposed Arklow Bank wind turbines.
SSE Renewables is the first renewable energy company to secure planning permission to develop onshore transmission grid infrastructure for an Irish offshore wind farm.
The consent comes ahead of the upcoming application by SSE Renewables for a Maritime Area Consent to allow it to proceed to apply for planning permission for the project’s offshore infrastructure including offshore wind turbines, offshore substation platforms, and subsea cables.
Bord Pleanála has approved the development of a 220kV substation at Avoca River Business Park in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, with an associated connection from the new substation to the national transmission network.
The consented development also includes an underground cable route and associated infrastructure connecting the substation to the landfall point at Johnstown North, Arklow, where it will meet the planned subsea offshore cables connecting to the wind farm.
In Association with
Phase 2 of Arklow Bank Wind Park project is proposed to be be located in an area situated six to 13km off the coastline to the east of Arklow.
The development builds on the existing GE-owned seven turbines that comprise the operational first phase of the wind park, is targeting delivery of up to 800MW of installed offshore wind energy.
SSE Renewables says the project is expected to require an investment of up to €2.5 billion and could deliver first power in 2028 and completion in 2029, subject to a final investment decision.
Kaj Christiansen, Arklow Bank development manager at SSE Renewables, said the ABP consent is the culmination of almost three years of work by members of the project team and consultants Arup.
SSE Renewables has been granted a Foreshore License by the government to commence maritime site survey investigations.
The survey activities will be conducted by the DEME vessel ‘Neptune’ and are planned to be completed by the end of August 2022, subject to weather conditions.
Photo: Aerial view of site for SSE Renewables sub-station in Arklow
