Over 500 entries were received for Codling Wind Park’s second annual renewable energy art competition – with the talented winners coming from three different schools in Wicklow Town and Delgany.
Details of the winners were announced today (Wednesday, 15th June) to mark Global Wind Day – a day dedicated to celebrating the possibilities and opportunities offered by wind as a clean, green renewable energy source.
The aims of the competition were to encourage children to learn, understand and ask questions about climate change and the important role wind energy has to play in addressing it, while also having fun.
Details were sent to 28 primary schools within the Greystones and Wicklow municipal districts, with the competition open to children in all classes. There were two categories: juniors – junior infants to second class; and seniors – third to sixth class.
The number and standard of entries exceeded all expectations, as Liz Dillon, Community Liaison Officer for the Codling Wind Park project, explained.
“We have been utterly blown away by the creative quality of the artwork submitted, highlighting the immense talent we have in our schools.
“Climate change can be a difficult concept for children to get their heads around, but when it’s presented to them in a fun and engaging way it’s amazing how well they understand it. You could see clearly in the entries how well they connect the challenge with the solution that wind energy represents.
“Wicklow is going to be at the forefront of offshore wind in Ireland and, for Codling Wind Park, it’s important that we give young people in the area the opportunity to be part of the journey with us.”
The winners of the junior competition were:
- 1st: Ava from Delgany NS
- 2nd: Beth from Glebe NS, Wicklow Town
- 3rd: Alexander from Delgany NS
The winners of the senior competition were:
- 1st: Megan from Glebe NS, Wicklow Town
- 2nd: Tia from Wicklow Educate Together NS, Wicklow Town
- 3rd: Daniel from Delgany NS
The prize for first place was a €100 voucher for either Art and Hobby Greystones or Hopkins Toymaster in Wicklow Town, with second and third places receiving a €50 and a €30 voucher respectively.
In addition to the individual prizes, every school that entered the competition was entered into a draw for a special School Prize of an iPad or a €500 voucher for assisted IT equipment for the school.
St Catherine’s Special School in Newcastle was the lucky winner of this prize and will be receiving a €500 voucher for IT equipment.
Codling Wind Park would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition, as well as Lisa-Anne Crookes of Wind Energy Ireland, who once again, had the challenging task of judging the entries and selecting the winners.
To find out more about the Codling Wind Park project and the important contribution it will make to Ireland’s renewable energy targets, please visit www.codlingwindpark.ie.
Useful Learning Resources
To find out more about Global Wind Day, visit: About Global Wind Day | Global Wind Day
To find out more about wind energy and view some helpful educational resources, visit Wind Energy Ireland’s website here: Education (windenergyireland.com)
Notes to Editors
About Codling Wind Park
Codling Wind Park is a proposed offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, set in an area called Codling Bank, 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 1,500 megawatts (MW), it has the potential to supply the equivalent of up to 1.2 million Irish homes – 70% of all Irish households – with low-carbon, locally-produced, low-cost electricity, and to save almost 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year. Representing one of the largest energy infrastructure investments in Ireland this decade, the project will deliver substantial benefits to the regional and national economy, including more than 1,000 construction jobs and around 75 long-term, locally based jobs. Further information is available at www.codlingwindpark.ie. Subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2025. Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete.
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables Ireland is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies and our investment and innovation in renewable energy projects is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits to communities.
EDF Renewables Ireland’s 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 300 colleagues in the UK.
In 2020 we acquired 50% of Codling Wind Park, a major offshore wind farm which will be located off the coast of Co. Wicklow, and 100% of Wexford Solar, which includes eight solar projects across Ireland. In total we have an Irish onshore development pipeline of almost 1GW.
In the UK, EDF Renewables has an operating portfolio of 36 wind farms and two battery storage units (together totalling almost 1GW).
EDF Renewables operates in more than 20 countries around the world.
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.
In 2021, the Fred. Olsen Renewables offshore wind assets and activity was organised within a distinct corporate structure in Fred. Olsen Seawind AS and is 100% controlled by Bonheur ASA.
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