Wedoany.com Report-Feb 27, RWE will soon submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for the 824MW Dublin Array offshore wind farm, positioned 10 kilometers off the coasts of Dublin and Wicklow counties in Ireland. This project is a joint venture between RWE and Saorgus Energy, with RWE overseeing development on behalf of the partnership.

Once operational, Dublin Array will contribute significantly to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, targeting 80% renewable electricity by 2030. It will bolster domestic energy production, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. The wind farm will feature between 39 and 50 turbines. If planning approval and financial backing are secured, construction could start in 2027, with operations beginning in 2030.

The project anticipates employing over 800 full-time equivalent workers during construction. In the operational phase, it will sustain around 80 direct jobs and 160 indirect jobs. Dublin Array also plans to establish a Community Benefit Fund, providing up to €6.5m annually for 20 years, starting at the construction stage. Local representatives, appointed by an independent administrator, will determine fund allocation.

Vanessa O’Connell, RWE Renewables Ireland’s Dublin Array project director, stated: "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."

Environmental surveys and assessments, detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, form a key part of the planning application. The operational base is proposed for Dún Laoghaire Harbour at St. Michael’s Pier, near the ferry terminal. This location is expected to generate €450m to €650m in regional spending over the wind farm’s lifespan. RWE recently opened an office in Dún Laoghaire, employing 27 Irish staff focused on offshore wind development, including Dublin Array.

The application includes plans for a new substation at Jamestown, Dublin 18, linking the wind farm’s output to the national grid via the existing Carrickmines substation in Dublin 18. Dublin Array received a Maritime Area Consent in late 2022, a prerequisite for the planning submission. It also secured support through Ireland’s first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction in May 2023 and has a grid connection offer from EirGrid. Planning documents will be available for review at www.dublinarray-marineplanning.ie starting March 10.