SSE Renewables has applied for Foreshore Licences to carry our surveys at two offshore wind sites in Ireland that could accommodate approximately 1.6GW of capacity.
The applications to the Irish Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government seek approval for conducting geophysical, geotechnical and environmental investigations offshore Clogher Head and Bunmahon Bay.
Both sites have the potential to respectively accommodate circa 800MW of offshore wind, SSE stated.
The first site is a 444km2 area located off the coastline of counties Louth, Meath and Dublin, some 18km from Braymore Point. The second site is a 689km2 area situated off the coastline of counties Cork, Waterford and Wexford, circa 25km offshore.
In order to minimize the risk associated with poor weather conditions, SEE said it would carry out most of the work between April and October within five years after the license award.
The geophysical survey campaign would take up to two months, after which the geotechnical survey would be carried out for up to three months.
SSE stated it would like to receive the Foreshore Licence by 1 August.