Development

Introduction

The Codling Wind Park project is currently in the early development stages and throughout 2022/23 a range of offshore and onshore environmental and technical studies and site investigations will be undertaken. The project team’s aim is to submit onshore and offshore planning applications to An Bord Pleanála in 2023, and to submit a single EIA report in support of these applications. Consultation and engagement will form an important part of both of these processes, and we will be holding two further  phases of public consultation during 2023.

∗ ORESS = Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme

The consenting process

In order to proceed, there are various consents that the Codling project must secure, with the main permissions required expected to be:

  • Foreshore investigation licence (under the Foreshore Act 1933) – granted in February 2021
  • Maritime Area Consent (under the Marine Planning and Development Management Act)
  • Onshore and offshore planning permission/consent(s) 

In May 2020, Codling was confirmed as having Relevant Project status – now referred to as Phase 1 status – under the Transitional Protocol published as part of the proposed Marine Planning and Development Management Act (MPDM). 

In December 2022, Codling Wind Park was awarded a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The awarding of a MAC will allow Codling Wind Park to participate in the first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) – a competitive auction process. 

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will be produced to inform a planning application for the project. If successful, Codling will be awarded planning development consent under the MPDM, leading to the completion of one of the conditions of the Maritime Area Consent (MAC).

Consultation

There are three phases of public consultation planned.  The first, including a live webinar and an online public exhibition, has now closed. Two further phases of pre-application consultations are expected to be held during 2023.

If you wish to see a recording of the webinar or to see the exhibition resources, click on the links below.

Connection and route to market

A connection to the Irish Electricity Transmission System will be required to allow the project to supply its renewable electricity to Irish electricity consumers.

The project will also take part in an Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction to secure a RESS contract to provide a fixed price and fixed duration contract for the electricity produced by the wind farm.  This will be a competitive auction process where RESS contracts will be awarded to the offshore wind projects that can offer the lowest electricity prices. 

Construction

Subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.

Operations & Maintenance

The preferred location for the O & M base for Codling Wind Park is Wicklow Town on the east coast of Ireland. The next steps in the realisation of the Operations and Maintenance base will include site investigations and studies to assess the most suitable locations for the facilities, as well as engagement with local businesses, landowners, and other port users. A period of public consultation on the proposed plans, once they have been drafted, will take place prior to the submission of a planning application.

You can see more information about O&M on our dedicated website page here.

Wicklow Harbour and Wicklow Town

Sign up for our newsletter

Skip to content