Codling Applying For 1,300mw Wind Farm

The answer, my friend…?

he Codling Wind Park developers are submitting a formal planning application to An Bord Pleanála early in the coming week.

The proposed wind farm will be situated between 13km and 22km off the coast of Greystones and Wicklow.

A joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred Olsen Seawind, the projected generating capacity is set at 1,300 megawatts and is said to be enough to power over one million homes.

Connecting to the Irish grid at Poolbeg in Dublin, the owners state that, planning going to plan, construction could begin in 2026-27 and the wind farm should be operational by 2030, contributing over 26% of the national target for offshore wind power.

The original plan was for 440 wind turbines off our shore, but advances in technology now puts that number at 75 – with a chance that it may be eventually be reduced to as few as 60. The minimum tip height is set at  288 metres, with the maximum height set at 314.

Speaking on the new planning application, Codling Wind Park project director Scott Sutherland said it was the product of over 15 years of data gathering and site investigations.

“This is one of the largest energy infrastructure investments ever seen in Ireland and a tremendously exciting project to work on,” he added. “We are very confident in our application, which is informed by detailed surveys, studies and assessments of the local environment and consultation with stakeholders.

“It aligns with the highest Irish and international standards of environmental assessment and planning.”

The Codling Wind Park is predicted to create over 1,000 jobs during construction, then 75 whilst in operation. More local wind farm shenanigans here.