Ocean Winds, Bord na Mona plan 2.3-GW offshore wind duo in Irish waters

Irish utility service provider Bord na Mona and the Ocean Winds joint venture (JV) between EDP Renewables (ELI:EDPR) and Engie SA (EPA:ENGI) will work together on two offshore wind projects in Ireland with a potential capacity of up to 2.3 GW.

The companies have entered a long-term exclusive partnership that will see them co-own, identify and develop offshore wind energy opportunities around the coast of Ireland, they said on Wednesday.

As a start, the companies intend to develop two projects, namely the Realt na Mara, off the coast of Dublin and Wicklow, and Celtic Horizon, proposed in the waters off the coast of Wexford and Waterford. With engagement with local stakeholders and industry players already ongoing, the schemes could be completed by 2030.

Once in operation, the offshore wind farms will be able to generate electricity for up to 2.1 million homes.

The implementation of the projects will help Ireland lower its dependence on oil and gas and support its goal of having 7 GW of installed offshore turbine capacity by 2030.

“Ocean Winds bring an incredible wealth of experience in developing and delivering offshore energy from around the globe. Together we will ensure that Ireland’s vast untapped reservoir of offshore energy will be harnessed [..],” said Bord na Mona’s CEO Tom Donnellan.

Ocean Winds currently has 14.6 GW of offshore wind projects in seven countries, of which 1.5 GW have been commissioned.

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