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| In 2002 the world’s largest offshore wind farm was constructed off the Danish west coast. The Horns Rev wind farm is sited 14-20 km into the North Sea, west of Blåvands Huk, and represents the first phase in the Danish Government’s ambitious plan - to have wind turbines with a total capacity of 4000 MW in Danish waters before 2030. |
Irish-based Offshore wind energy developers today confirmed that they have projects at an advanced stage of preparation for the development of over 2,000mw of renewable energy in Irish waters at a capital cost of over €4 billion. The announcement was made by the five largest offshore wind companies in Ireland at the launch of NOW Ireland, a new organisation to promote the development of the offshore wind industry in Ireland.
“Offshore wind has the capability to generate large volumes of electrical power from green, renewable and indigenous resources. Offshore wind is unique in offering the capacity to deliver substantial volumes of power on a scale that no other renewable can match and to do so in a short time scale,” Brian Britton, Secretary of NOW Ireland stated at the launch in Dublin today.
Offshore wind farms are considerably larger in size than onshore wind farms. If the offshore projects currently under way were fully developed each would rank in the top twelve power stations in Ireland. The funding required is also substantial as they are far bigger than onshore farms and require a higher level of investment. However these power stations are also more efficient and operate with significantly higher load factors than onshore. Their scale and efficiency justifies the investment of the large amounts of capital required to develop them.
NOW Ireland is the acrynom for the National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland which has as its slogan “Making renewables Ireland’s primary power source”. The founding members of NOW Ireland are Airtricity, Oriel Windfarm Limited, Eco Wind Power Limited, Fuinneamh Sceirde Teo and Saorgas Energy Limited. Each of these companies has developed plans for offshore fields in Irish waters and made substantial investment in bringing those plans forward.
Brian Britton, whose Oriel Windfarm recently unveiled plans for a 330mw offshore windfarm in the North Irish Sea, described the potential of offshore wind energy. "Offshore has the capacity to deliver levels of renewable energy which cannot be matched. Technological development in offshore turbines means that efficiency levels are rising, production capacity is rising and costs are rapidly diminishing. This means substantial developments ranging from 100mw to 1000mw in size. Companies such as those represented by NOW Ireland see the financial benefit of a substantial capital investment totalling over €4bn to harness this new technology”.
“However investment is currently being hampered due to the lack of a clear and coherent Government policy on offshore wind. This stands in marked contrast to other countries throughout the EU, that have actively promoted offshore wind as a key component of their energy strategy. NOW Ireland will work with the statutory agencies to raise awareness of what offshore energy can achieve and to remove the barriers that are preventing the widespread deployment of offshore energy.”
Speaking at the launch Torben Andersen of Airtricity highlighted the importance of offshore wind in terms of addressing Ireland’s long term security of energy supply. Reliance on depleting fossil fuels sourced from areas that are unstable is not the most attractive option for Ireland. The alternative to this dependence is the development of real alternatives. “Instead of being at the end of the gas pipeline we can be in the forefront of offshore wind deployment in Ireland”.
On the issue of meeting our climate change targets. Andersen indicated that offshore wind would be the only generating source that would be capable of delivering the Governments target of generating 33% of our electricity through renewable sources by 2020. “Offshore wind is a key generating source that can deliver sufficient load factors, while still meeting the objective of coming from a clean renewable source.”
NOW Ireland Chairman, Michael McBennett, addressing the members at the inaugural meeting in the Burlington Hotel, indicated that the immediate priority for the association was to work with Government to develop a policy on offshore. "Investment will not occur in a vacuum and it is critical for all of the operators represented here that some clarity is arrived at in terms of how this sector is to be developed. Irish companies have been extensively involved in developing offshore projects around the world. The fact that there has been little development to date in Ireland is an indication of the lack of interest to date by government in promoting offshore. NOW Ireland is being formed to change this situation and to promote the development of what should be a major industry for Ireland".
Profiles of founder members
Airtricity is a world leading renewable energy company, developing and operating wind farms across Europe, North America and Asia. The company was founded in 1999 and now employs over 400 people across its offices in Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. Through partnerships with leading international companies such as GE and Fluor, Airtricity is taking a leading role in the development of offshore wind farms including the Arklow bank wind farm off the coast of Wicklow. German utility giant E.ON announced last month that it is acquiring the North American activities of Irish wind farm operator Airtricity for $1.4 billion.
