SSE Renewables has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art development at Arklow Harbor, County Wicklow, proposed as part of Phase 2 of the Arklow Bank wind farm.

The leading renewable energy developer has unveiled the official designs for the proposed Operation and Maintenance Facility (OMF) for the South Wharf at Arklow Harbor and invites the public to share their views in a public consultation that will take place from June 7 to 25.

The facility will serve as a support base for the offshore wind farm during its operational life.

The development is a key component of the planned Phase 2 of the 520 MW Arklow Bank wind farm, located 6 to 13 km off the coast of Arklow in County Wicklow. SSE Renewables is actively pursuing plans to deliver Ireland’s first major offshore wind farm by 2025, and plans to invest between € 1 billion and € 2 billion to complete the project.

The delivery of the planned O&M facility at Arklow Harbor’s south wharf will require a planned investment of around € 15 million. SSE Renewables is proposing to develop the facility on a disused site known as The Old Shipyard. Approximately 60 construction roles will be created during the delivery phase of the O&M facility only, and additional indirect roles in the supply chain are expected.

When complete, the building will house around 80 full-time employees who will be recruited to work on the wind farm once it is operational. These direct jobs will include site managers, supervisors, technicians, control room operators, engineers, ship’s crew, stores and administrative staff. The expanded wind farm project will also support thousands of indirect and induced jobs throughout the life of the project.

Arklow’s four-story South Dock development was designed to be a ‘near zero energy building’ (NZEB), which means the building will operate at a very high energy performance. The facility will house a warehouse for wind turbine components, offices and meeting spaces, and staff welfare facilities.

Plans are also in place to provide a top-floor sustainability center overlooking the harbor that will anchor the facility in the community and welcome visitors for educational tours, exhibits and sustainability-themed events.

Urban improvements are also planned for the site, including landscaping and improving public lighting.

The nearshore element of the plans will see the existing decommissioned syncrolift removed from the port quay and replaced with mooring and pontoon facilities for crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that will transfer maintenance workers to and from the turbines on a daily basis. to help operate the offshore wind farm.

SSE Renewables will file a planning application with Wicklow County Council later this summer for the proposed development. Prior to that, the company launched a three-week public consultation which is open now and ends on June 25. The consultation will provide an opportunity for members of the public and stakeholders to engage with SSE Renewables on its plans and submit comments to further inform the development of the facility.

Arklow Bank Wind Farm Project Manager James O’Hara said: “We are delighted to share the plans for the O&M facility that will serve as the support base for Phase 2 of the Arklow Bank wind farm. This state-of-the-art building will play a crucial role in starting the regeneration of Arklow. Harbor. It is also from this building that 80 full-time employees will be based for the decades to come. I encourage the local community to share their feedback on this element of the project so that we can refine our plans accordingly before seeking planning approval later this year.

Andre Negri, architect and founder of Studio Negri based in Dublin, was responsible for designing the operation and maintenance facility: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to work on phase 2 of the Arklow Bank wind farm, which is a pioneering project, both onshore and offshore. Inspired by Arklow’s credentials as a decarbonization zone, we wanted to ensure that the O&M facility is designed to provide a high-performance, state-of-the-art facility with minimal impact on environment and powered by renewable energy sources. The social element of the facility has also been carefully considered. The building will be engaging for users and the community with spaces for people to work, but also to meet and collaborate. ”

Full information on the proposal is available through a virtual exhibit accessible via www.sserenewables.com/arklowbank and through a self-guided exhibit at the Bridgewater Center, Arklow. An information point has also been set up on Main Street, Courtown, Co Wexford and a live webinar will take place on Wednesday June 16 at 7pm.

Print brochures and feedback forms are available from Deborah Coleman, Community Engagement Manager, at Deborah.coleman2@sse.com or 087 1457603.