Last Friday the Engineering Manager for Codling Wind Park, Ed Sly hosted a workshop showcasing the engineering and technical challenges involved in offshore construction.
A group of 40 employees, consisting of mostly planners and engineers from the council attended the workshop which took place at the WCC offices in Wicklow Town. Codling Wind Park says it is looking forward to providing more of these engineering focused briefings as the project progresses.
Mr Sly, who holds a degree in civil and coastal engineering from the University of Plymouth, has played a key role in the development of the Codling project over the last four years. In that time, the project has secured an ORESS contract, submitted its planning application and completed multiple engineering design and work scopes.
During the workshop he provided an overview of some of the technical challenges the project has faced covering everything from turbine foundations to the offshore substation to onshore works at Poolbeg where the power cables will come ashore and connect to the national grid.
Mr Sly said he was delighted to present the workshop and said the Codling team is looking forward to engaging with other groups and clubs across Wicklow.
“Recently we launched an engagement campaign which is open to local community groups, clubs, local authorities, societies or schools who would like to learn more about Ireland’s largest Phase 1 offshore wind project and the benefits it will bring to Ireland and to local communities.”
“A key part of the project is of course the establishment of a €200m Community Benefit Fund which will support local community groups over a twenty-year period. The project is urging community groups to consider what projects or initiatives they would like to benefit from the fund.”
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan said: “Wicklow County Council is committed to staff learning and development. Part of this process includes holding Continuous Professional Development (CPD) events, which are of enormous value in supporting staff development.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman said: “Wicklow County Council is currently in the process of becoming a CPD accredited Employer with Engineers Ireland. The vision of CPD is to make Wicklow County Council a leading provider of engineering services to the people of Wicklow in a manner consistent with Council values that include sustainability, climate action, collaboration, being age friendly, and offering a quality, customer focused service.”
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Contact Kieran Garry, GPR Communications
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Note to Editors
About Codling Wind Park
Codling Wind Park is a proposed offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, approximately 13-22 kilometres off the County Wicklow coast, between Greystones and Wicklow Town. The project is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind. With an expected capacity of up to 1,300 megawatts (MW), Codling Wind Park has the potential to supply over one million Irish homes with low carbon, locally produced, low-cost electricity, and to save almost 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year. The project submitted its planning application in September 2024.
