Plans revealed for 45-turbine offshore wind farm off south Wexford coast

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

A new 45 turbine wind farm is to be developed off the coast of Fethard-on-Sea and Duncannon in south Wexford. When construction is complete the farm, which has the working title ‘Powering Up Offshore South Coast’, will generate 900 megawatts of electricity, enough to power “almost one million homes” according to its operator EirGrid Group.

Currently in the consultation and survey stage, the wind farm is not expected to begin construction until 2030 with an estimated completion date of 2033. It will be developed by ESB and Danish renewable energy company Orsted.

At the January meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) a delegation from EirGrid presented details of the wind farm to councillors.

They explained that the area that will host offshore wind farm development is entitled ‘Tonn Nua’ and, in addition to 45 turbines, will include two offshore substation platforms, one off the coast of Co Wexford and the other off Co Cork. Developing the wind farm will require “offshore transmission cables” connecting these substations to landfall locations and onshore substations

These substations will be connected by underground cables which will be installed at sea and on private land in Co Wexford.

Conscious of the impact on the local fishing communities, EirGrid has engaged with those employed in the industry and set up compensation packages for any potential loss of livelihood. And the financial impact on those fishermen was at the forefront of councillors’ minds when they questioned the merits of the project at their January meeting.

Responding to a query raised by Cathaoirleach John Dwyer, a representative from EirGrid said there would be “no restrictions to fishing once the project is complete, the only exclusion zone will be at the location of the turbines where fishing won’t be permitted within 500 metres”.

“This is standard procedure and is for safety purposes,” they added. “We have a monetary compensation package for each fisherman affected (during construction), but there’ll be no restriction on fishing once the cable is installed.”

The cathaoirleach also raised concerns about the potential damage caused by the construction of a new onshore substation.

“It will be located in the least sensitive place possible,” he was informed. “And there will be no pylons or structures visible at the land hub.”

Getting down to brass tacks, Councillor Marty Murphy asked the delegation to be more specific regarding the nature of the wind farm and how the turbines will be distributed.

“It’s 321 square km in size,” came the response. “And will consist of approximately 45 turbines or one every 5-6 km.”

“Will fishermen be allowed to fish between the turbines?” asked Cllr Murphy.

“That’s up to the developer,” replied the EirGrid representative.

“If the fisheries are restricted that would be a huge issue,” noted Cllr Dwyer.

Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Barden had a number of observations and questions.

“What kind of environmental impact is this going to make, can you quantify that?” he asked. “If we want to do a bit of rock facing on the coastline down here it requires major environmental studies, you can’t touch anything, it’s just a no go. And yet this is allowed to plough up the sea and there’s not a word about it.”

"We’re not exempt from legislation,” came the response. “All environmental requirements must be applied to, we need to satisfy them the same as everyone else. This is why these take so long to deliver, there’s so many questions to be answered.”

Cllr Barden wasn’t finished there. He also wanted to know why Co Wexford was being chosen for such an extensive project when there was perfectly good wind on the other side of the country.

“Why is it being built off the coast of Wexford? Why not other coastal counties? The west coast has stronger winds; Kerry, Galway, Donegal, why not go there? “

“Wexford was chosen because it has counties with neighbouring substations,” he was told.

Lastly, despite the EirGrid team declaring full transparency during all phases of the project, there were some dissenting voices regarding its ability to engage with the public.

“Some of the people in Fethard-on-Sea felt the previous consultation wasn’t great, the advertisement of it,” said Cllr Murphy.

“We heard that and have taken it on board,” said the EirGrid representative. “We put a lot of effort and time into it so it’s very disappointing when you hear those types of reports back.”