EDF Renewables Ireland has agreed a multi billion deal to develop the Western Star and Emerald floating wind projects with Cork-based Simply Blue Group.
The Western Star floating wind project will be located at least 35km off the west coast of Clare in waters over 100m deep and have a total capacity of up to 1.35GW.
The Emerald Floating Wind project, to be located off the south coast of Cork, will have a total capacity of up to 1.3GW.
The two projects would together generate enough low-carbon electricity to power about two million Irish homes.
Oil giant Shell had pulled out of the wind projects last September – a year after it bought stakes in the developments.
It said at the time that the move was a “portfolio decision”.
The 50:50 joint venture partners said they will now seek to progress the two projects to meet Government targets to have 2GW of floating wind in development by 2030.
The partnership is subject to a merger clearance, which expected in the coming months.
EDF bought 50% of the Codling Wind Park, an offshore wind farm which will be located off the coast of Co Wicklow, in 2020.
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, said the projects will complement its Codling Wind Park development, diversifying its offshore portfolio in Ireland and strengthening its position as a key player in the Irish and UK offshore markets.
“These projects further strengthen EDF Renewables’ position as a leading global player in the emerging floating wind industry, joining a portfolio that includes our Gwynt Glas project in the Celtic Sea and Provence Grand Large off the south coast of France,” he said.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Simply Blue Group to deliver on the two projects’ great potential to make a significant contribution to the Irish Government’s renewable energy goals,” he added.
Ryanne Burges, Director of Offshore and Ireland at EDF Renewables, said that Western Star and Emerald add to EDF Renewables UK and Ireland’s growing portfolio of offshore wind projects.
“This includes the operational Blyth and Teesside offshore wind farms in England, Neart na Gaoithe which is currently under construction off the coast of Scotland, and Codling Wind Park which was recently successful in Ireland’s first ever offshore wind energy auction,” she stated.
Sam Roch Perks, CEO of Simply Blue Group, said the company was delighted to partner with EDF Renewables to deliver these strategic assets and to deliver Ireland’s first floating offshore wind farms.
“Simply Blue’s expertise in floating offshore wind, with over 10GW of floating projects in development globally, has been brought to bear on the selection of the two sites, following extensive stakeholder engagement and initial environmental assessments,” he added.
Val Cummins, Project Managing Director for Emerald and Western Star, said the new partnership is ideally placed to deliver for Phase 3 of offshore wind in Ireland.
“This is key to kick-starting floating offshore wind, which will have a transformational positive impact on Ireland’s maritime and energy landscape, including the coastal communities in Cork and Clare,” she added.