Sceirde Rocks Windfarm would provide enough renewable electricity to power up to 350,000 homes and would contribute an estimated 3.5 million euros per year to local community initiatives for a period of 20 years through a dedicated Community Benefit Fund (amounting to a total of 70 million in expected investment) from the start of construction. This is in addition to the 150,000 euros of support provided by the project to local community initiatives since 2023.
The wind farm would also displace approximately 550,000 tonnes of CO2 for each year it is in operation.
It is the first offshore wind farm proposed for Ireland’s west coast – the five other projects currently proposed for development are all situated off the eastern coastline. It has the potential to establish Connemara as a critical offshore wind hub for the west of Ireland over the long-term. According to a report commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland in January 2024, the offshore wind sector as a whole could be worth up to 38 billion euros to the Irish economy over the coming decades.
Ireland has a target of sourcing 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and has signed up to binding obligations on carbon reduction as a member of the European Union.
“Sceirde Rocks Windfarm is a landmark project for County Galway and for the nation of Ireland” said Tim Coffey, Head of Ireland at Corio Generation. “As the first offshore wind project proposed for Ireland’s west coast it can pave the way for major long-term investment in green energy technology and infrastructure in the west of the country - boosting local economies, supporting the energy transition and helping rural and coastal communities to thrive. The project team has worked tirelessly over almost three years on surveying, data analysis and community engagement activity in order to produce this comprehensive application. We look forward to a positive outcome and to contributing to Ireland’s green energy transition for many years to come.”
The application submitted to An Bord Pleanála seeks consent for a proposed development of 30 turbines, which could have a maximum tip height of up to 325 metres and would be sited between 5 kilometres and 12 kilometres from the nearest mainland point. Subject to consent being granted, construction is currently expected to begin in 2026 with first generation of electricity from 2030.
The consent request is supported by a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) that detail how the project might affect the natural environment as well as an array of appropriate mitigations.
Sceirde Rocks Windfarm is being developed by leading offshore wind developer Corio Generation through the Irish and Gaeltacht based company Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta (FST). FST is a joint venture owned by Corio Generation, a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management, and global infrastructure investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
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