EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind welcome Codling Wind Park’s success in Ireland’s first offshore wind energy auction

EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind welcome Codling Wind Park’s success in Ireland’s first offshore wind energy auction.

11 May 2023 – Codling Wind Park confirms it has been successful in Ireland’s first ever offshore wind energy auction. The auction result is provisional and subject to a verification process. Final results will be published on the 14th of June 2023.

Codling Wind Park is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind.

The joint venture submitted a bid for 1300 MW and has been awarded the full capacity. With this capacity the project has potential to supply the equivalent of 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.

Commenting on the successful bid, Codling Wind Park Co-Project Directors Scott Sutherland and Thomas Gellert said: “This is a great day in the fight against climate change, and for Ireland’s plans to become energy self-sufficient. With Codling Wind Park’s successful bid, Ireland’s largest Phase 1 offshore project, of 1,300MW capacity, moves a considerable step closer to reality.” 

“There is an immense wealth of low-carbon, potential power available in the seas around this country. Today’s successful auction results will increase confidence in Ireland’s ability to realise the opportunities of offshore energy. We look forward to working with the government, state agencies and most of all local communities to ensure that the significant benefits of Irish offshore energy can be delivered to the people of Ireland.”    

Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, welcomed the news as a positive step forward for the Irish offshore industry: “We’re delighted that Codling Wind Park has been successful with its ORESS bid. As the country’s largest Phase 1 offshore wind farm, Codling will be crucial to Ireland meeting its renewable energy targets and securing its energy supply.

“We’re committed to supporting Ireland in capitalising on its immense offshore wind potential, and today’s announcement is an important step on that journey. We look forward to building on this positive news and working closely with our project partners, the Irish Government, and other stakeholders to deliver on what will be one of the largest energy infrastructure investments in Ireland this decade.”

Lars Bender, CEO of Fred. Olsen Seawind commented: 

“We are very pleased with today’s result, which proves the strong, experienced joint venture partnership and the good collaboration between the partners as well as with the supply chain. The success today is a significant testimony to all the hard work carried out by the Codling Wind Park and the shareholder teams to reach this point. We thank all involved and look forward to the journey ahead us. 

As the largest offshore wind farm project in Ireland, considerable economic benefit will be brought to Ireland. We look forward to engaging further with local communities, government and supply chain in developing Ireland’s offshore wind skills base and contributing towards Ireland succeeding in delivering on climate change targets.”

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Notes 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.

Codling Wind Park is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind. With an expected capacity of up to 1,300 megawatts (MW), it 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.

About EDF Renewables

EDF Renewables Ireland is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies, operating in more than 20 countries around the world. Through its investment and innovative approach to renewable energy projects it is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits to communities.

The Irish team has a wealth of experience in bringing complex development projects to fruition, across onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, and battery storage technology, and is supported by more than 400 colleagues in the UK.

In addition to the 50% interest in Codling Wind Park which EDF Renewables Ireland acquired in 2020 the company is the sole owner of Wexford Solar, which includes eight solar projects across Ireland and has an Irish onshore development pipeline of almost 1GW.

In the UK and Ireland, EDF Renewables has over 2GW of assets in operation or under construction across offshore wind, onshore wind, solar and battery storage, as well as a development pipeline exceeding 10GW.

For further information, visit www.edf-re.ie

About Fred. Olsen Seawind

Fred. Olsen Seawind AS is an established offshore wind developer building on Fred. Olsen Renewables’ 25 years wind track record, market presence and portfolio. 

Fred. Olsen Renewables was involved in Codling from 1999 to 2022 when it was transferred to Fred. Olsen Seawind

Utilising the extensive experience in Scotland gained through over 25 years of development, construction, and operation of onshore wind Fred. Olsen Seawind is committed to progressing offshore wind projects in Ireland, Norway and Scotland and is exploring opportunities in new markets.

For further information, visit www.fredolsenseawind.com

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