SSE Renewables Submits Planning Application for Arklow Bank Wind Park 2

SSE Renewables has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for the Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 project, a proposed offshore wind farm located in the Irish Sea. The project, which could generate enough renewable energy to power up to 850,000 homes, is expected to contribute significantly to Ireland’s target of at least 5 GW of offshore renewable energy by 2030.

arklow offshore wind farm

The project proposes the construction of up to 56 wind turbines, depending on the final wind farm project design, located in an array area of around 63 square-kilometers on and around the Arklow Bank off the Wicklow and Wexford coast. Each turbine would be installed on steel monopile foundations. The application also proposes two offshore substation platforms as well as associated export, inter-array, and interconnector subsea cabling that would connect the wind farm to Ireland’s national grid at a cabling landfall point at Johnstown North, north of Arklow Town.

Subject to planning consent and a final investment decision by SSE, construction of Arklow Bank 2 could commence as early as 2026 with the first energy generated by 2029. Once operational, the up to 800 MW offshore wind project would be capable of producing enough renewable energy to displace over 800,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

The project is expected to deliver an overall national economic benefit of up to EUR 800 million, with around EUR 400 million of which will be local to the Wicklow and Wexford region. It will also support around 2,300 direct and indirect jobs throughout its delivery and operational lifetime.
Some locals, conservationists, and the fishing community have raised concerns about the potential impact on the environment in the Irish Sea and the visual impact. SSE Renewables has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement for the proposed development.