FIRST STEPS TAKEN TO HAVE ‘FLOATING’ WINDFARM OFF COAST OF DONEGAL

Donegal has taken its first steps to having its first off-shore windfarm.

It follows an agreement between the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) and Sinbad Marine Services who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global floating offshore wind developer and technology provider, Hexicon AB.

The proposed new floating wind farm is to be located more than 50km off the Donegal coast and has the potential to deliver up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of energy.
The innovative and historic partnership is predicated on a ‘new approach’ which sees local fishermen engaged and influencing the development process from the onset.

Key decisions, including site selection, cable routing, and land fall, will be collectively analysed and agreed.

Similarly, other stakeholders, including environmental organisations will also be given input at an early stage in shaping the location and design of the floating wind farms.

In parallel, long-established port operator and marine service provider, Sinbad Marine, will ensure the floating offshore wind project maximises its engagement with local industry and leverages local infrastructure.

Floating wind energy is experiencing exponential growth globally and Irish waters are exceptionally well-suited for the emerging technology which will likely eventually rival or even replace fixed bottom offshore wind as the leading offshore wind technology.

The global expansion of offshore wind farms is however often a concern for fishing communities and cause for conflict. In that context and in order to avoid potential controversy, the KFO, Sinbad Marine Services and Hexicon are joining forces to create a ‘new approach’ for the development of floating wind projects.

This is the first time in offshore wind that key players from several fundamentally-opposed sectors have come together to collaborate on a project with a common objective.

The focus of the Memorandum of Understanding is for the parties involved to cooperate and agree solutions which are mutually beneficial for the development of a wind farm which does not negatively impact the fishing industry nor the marine environment while contributing to the transformation of local and global energy supply chains.

The Global Wind Energy Council has highlighted Ireland as one of the top five emerging markets for offshore wind, with some of the world’s best wind resources with wind speeds over 10 metres per second (m/s). Along with the vast continental shelf, Ireland also has a large sea area with perfect bathymetry for floating wind. These are just some of the reasons why Ireland is attracting offshore wind developers from all over the world. In parallel, the fishing industry in Ireland represents an important economic sector, generating national income and providing employment for thousands of people. Successfully combining these two worlds will put coexistence at the centre of future offshore wind development in Ireland and elsewhere.
The innovative and historic partnership is predicated on a ‘new approach’ which sees local fishermen engaged and influencing the development process from the onset.

Key decisions, including site selection, cable routing, and land fall, will be collectively analysed and agreed.

Similarly, other stakeholders, including environmental organisations will also be given input at an early stage in shaping the location and design of the floating wind farms.

In parallel, long-established port operator and marine service provider, Sinbad Marine, will ensure the floating offshore wind project maximises its engagement with local industry and leverages local infrastructure.

Floating wind energy is experiencing exponential growth globally and Irish waters are exceptionally well-suited for the emerging technology which will likely eventually rival or even replace fixed bottom offshore wind as the leading offshore wind technology.

The global expansion of offshore wind farms is however often a concern for fishing communities and cause for conflict. In that context and in order to avoid potential controversy, the KFO, Sinbad Marine Services and Hexicon are joining forces to create a ‘new approach’ for the development of floating wind projects.

This is the first time in offshore wind that key players from several fundamentally-opposed sectors have come together to collaborate on a project with a common objective.

The focus of the Memorandum of Understanding is for the parties involved to cooperate and agree solutions which are mutually beneficial for the development of a wind farm which does not negatively impact the fishing industry nor the marine environment while contributing to the transformation of local and global energy supply chains.

The Global Wind Energy Council has highlighted Ireland as one of the top five emerging markets for offshore wind, with some of the world’s best wind resources with wind speeds over 10 metres per second (m/s). Along with the vast continental shelf, Ireland also has a large sea area with perfect bathymetry for floating wind. These are just some of the reasons why Ireland is attracting offshore wind developers from all over the world. In parallel, the fishing industry in Ireland represents an important economic sector, generating national income and providing employment for thousands of people. Successfully combining these two worlds will put coexistence at the centre of future offshore wind development in Ireland and elsewhere.