Ireland Harnesses the Wind: A Look at Key Wind Energy Projects
Ireland, with its strong winds and commitment to sustainability, is making significant strides in wind energy development. Wind is already the country’s largest and cheapest source of renewable electricity, contributing over 86% of renewable generation and 36% of total electricity demand in 2020. To further harness this potential, several exciting projects are underway, aiming to solidify Ireland’s position as a wind energy leader.
Offshore Wind Boom:
Ireland has traditionally focused on onshore wind farms, but the future lies offshore. Recognizing this, the government held its first ever offshore wind auction in 2022, awarding rights for four major projects with a combined capacity of over 3.2 GW. These include:
- North Irish Sea Array (500 MW): Developed by Statkraft, this project will be located off the coast of County Down in Northern Ireland.
- Dublin Array (up to 850 MW): A joint venture by RWE and Saorgus Energy, this project comprises two wind farms off the east coast of Dublin.
- Codling Wind Park (up to 1,450 MW): A collaboration between EDF and Fred Olsen Renewables, this massive project will be located off the east and south coasts.
- Sceirde Rocks (450 MW): Developed by Corio Generation, this wind farm will be situated off the southwest coast of County Clare.

