The Project

Celtic Horizon is a proposed offshore wind development located in the Celtic Sea off
the south coast of Ireland. The project is currently in the early development stages and is aiming to be part of the Governments 5GW of offshore wind to be delivered as outlined in its Phase Two policy statement.

For further information on the Phase Two Policy Statement for Offshore Wind, please click the image to read.

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Project Timeline

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Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation Types

The project team is carefully considering the foundation type selection with respect to the site conditions, environmental impact, supply chain capability, project programme and levelised cost of energy.

Based on the available information, different foundation types have been assessed to determine their feasibility and to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed Celtic Horizon Offshore Wind study area for offshore wind development using bottom-fixed technology.

Once the offshore survey campaigns are undertaken and new site-specific geophysical and geotechnical information becomes available, closing the existing gaps on the site information, the most suitable wind turbine foundation type will be selected.

MorayEast
Example of Jacket Foundation Type at Ocean Winds’ Moray East Wind Farm
in Scotland.
Seamade-Otary
Example of a Monopile Foundation Type at
Ocean Winds’ Seamade Wind Farm in Belgium.

Project Need & Benefits

Climate

Economy & Jobs

Ireland’s Citizens / Householders

Local Communities

Resources

Government Policy Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy 

In 2023 there have been significant policy changes in relation to the planning and delivery of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) in Ireland. Two significant government policy documents are below. Click on the following images to read further information about “Accelerating Ireland’s Offshore Energy Programme” and the Phase 2 “Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme”.

Seafood / ORE Engagement in Ireland - Guide for Good Practice

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published a Summary Guide, to provide offshore renewable energy projects and seafood stakeholders with guidance on how to engage and co-exist constructive manner. 

These engagement protocols were developed in partnership between the offshore renewable energy industry and seafood industry. Bord na Móna Ocean Winds is fully committed to adhering to these protocols in all its future developments. For further information click here.

Wind Energy Ireland’s Youtube Channel

Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) have produced an excellent series of explanatory videos as to how wind energy is produced, the policy framework for its development and the infrastructure need to support offshore renewable energy. 

These information videos are available on WEI’s youtube channel. 

Renewable Energy Ireland’s ‘Green Horizon’ Series

Renewable Energy Ireland recently partnered with South East Radio in Wexford to produce a 12-part series on a variety of renewable energy topics.

Topics covered in the series included the importance of electricity grid, the impact of wind energy on electricity prices, and energy storage. The episodes are 10-15 minutes long and the radio series is available here. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Ocean Winds (OW) is the result of a 2019 Joint Venture between EDP Renewables (EDPR) and ENGIE, two global leaders in the renewable and offshore energy industry. With over a decade’s experience in the offshore sector, and the combined expertise of both EDPR and ENGIE, Ocean Winds will bring a history of project deliverability and cost reduction to the emerging Irish offshore wind industry.

When EDPR and ENGIE combined their offshore wind assets and project pipeline to create OW in 2019, the company had a total of 1.5 GW under construction and 4.0 GW under development; OW has been adding rapidly to that portfolio and is now on a trajectory to reach the 2025 target of 5 to 7 GW of projects in operation, or construction, and 5 to 10 GW under advanced development. In 2022, OW’s offshore wind gross capacity already operating, contracted or with grid connection rights granted reaches 11.2 GW.
OW, headquartered in Madrid, is currently present in 8 countries, and primarily targets markets in Europe, the United-States and selected parts of Asia, from where most of the growth is expected to come.

Discover more: www.oceanwinds.com

Bord na Móna is a renewable energy and environmental services company, focused on delivering climate solutions and sustainable energy security for Ireland. We do this through renewable power generation, recycling, waste management, peatland restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Bord na Móna, a semi-state company, was established in 1934, in response to a national energy emergency, to develop the peatlands of Ireland, provide economic benefit for midland communities, and achieve security of energy supply. Transformed for the climate crisis today, Bord na Móna has transitioned its operations and diversified its services, through its Brown-to-Green strategy, to become Ireland’s leading climate solutions company.

Bord na Móna employs approximately 1,500 people and manages a land holding of over 80,000 hectares across the midlands of Ireland. With expertise and experience across a variety of climate solutions, including renewables, energy, carbon storage and sequestration and waste management, through various initiatives, including the Accelerate Green Programme, Bord na Móna is supporting local communities and businesses with Ireland’s transition to a green economy.

With a strategic ten-year ambition to invest over €1.6bn in renewable energy infrastructure and generating assets, including wind, solar, hydrogen, biomass and biogas, Bord na Móna is developing sustainable solutions that will lead Ireland towards a climate neutral future and help ensure the State delivers on its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Discover more: www.bordnamona.ie

Ireland has a unique opportunity to develop a substantial and economically viable offshore wind industry with a maritime area approximately seven times its landmass, as well as optimum geographic and climatic conditions. The Irish Government has indicated its intention to reach the ambitious target of achieving 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030. 

OW is interested in playing a part in enabling Ireland to achieve its 2030 and wider Net Zero ambitions through Celtic Horizon. We believe that our background, expertise, strength and experience in delivering offshore wind projects will support the Irish economy to make best use of one of its most abundant resources.

Ireland, as a member of the EU, has committed to transitioning towards a carbon-neutral society by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal. The current Programme for Government set a target for 80% of electricity to be from renewable sources by 2030 and for 5GW of offshore wind by 2030. This target was increased to up to 80% in the Climate Action Plan 2021. Celtic Horizon will make a valuable contribution towards achieving Ireland’s renewable energy and wider Net Zero ambitions.

Yes, communities near an offshore wind farm will get benefit from a wind farm in the form of a community benefit fund which communities will guide through a locally appointed voluntary board which will define a strategy for the use of funds and will distribute funds based on an application and grant system.

The value of the fund and the process for how it is allocated will be in line with the requirements set out in the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). The specific details of how community benefit funds will work in respect of ORESS 2 projects including Celtic Horizon is yet to be set out by the Department of Energy Climate and Communications.

Further information on the Rulebook for Generators and Fund Administrators of ORESS 1 Community Benefit Funds is available here.

A number of jobs, to be determined further advance the project and its final characteristics, will be created during the construction of the proposed development and during the operation and maintenance phase of the project. Indirectly, Celtic Horizon will create supply chain opportunities for contractors, consultants and service providers throughout the development and construction of the project.

The exact location of the Operation and Maintenance base has yet to be identified. This will be determined through feasibility, technical and environmental studies, in addition to the consideration of stakeholder feedback received during the public consultations.

The typical operational life of a wind turbine is 25-30 years. However, advancements in offshore wind technology and maintenance processes could mean that new wind farm developments will outlive the typical life cycle. 

As the project nears its end of life a decision will be made whether the wind farm will be decommissioned or new turbines will be installed, which will require a new planning application and development consent.
Preliminary Terrestrial Plan