Renewable energy is essential if we are to address climate change effectively. Dalkey Community Council fully supports the development of wind farms, but we advocate for the use of the most appropriate technology to ensure both environmental protection and efficient electricity production.

There are currently seven proposed wind farms located around the Irish coast. These offshore wind farms were sited over 25 years ago. Initially, site selection for these offshore wind farms was developer-led, with several large projects proposed by private entities without adequate site-selection oversight, public consultation, or consideration of environmental constraints. Developers leveraged existing legislation and selected sites on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, prioritizing potential profitability over ecological value. In 2023, this approach was revised to adopt a plan-led framework that prioritizes environmental considerations.

The selected sites that were chosen by developers are on shallow, near-shore sandbanks and mudflats, adjacent to high biodiversity locations. These areas are important for breeding sea birds, spawning fish, and as feeding grounds for whales and dolphins. The sea floor in certain areas has biogenic reefs and diverse marine life, vital for carbon capture. These sandbanks also protect against coastal erosion, which is becoming increasingly important.

Offshore wind farms represent a major development in marine environments. Careful site selection is crucial to protect the ecosystems they aim to preserve.

Proposed windfarms

There are seven developments proposed for around the Irish coast.  Click on the tabs below to find out more about the development and what status they are at.

Where: Near Dundalk

Developer: RPS

Submitted: May 2024

Status: Awaiting decision

The Oriel windfarm project, being jointly developed by Parkwind and ESB, is set to be Ireland’s first fully operational offshore wind farm. Located in the Irish Sea off the coast of County Louth, to the east of Dundalk Bay, the windfarm will cover an area of 24 km² and will be situated 22 km off the coast of Dundalk. The project will have a generation capacity of up to 375 MW and will consist of 25 turbines with towers up to 150 metres tall and blade lengths reaching up to 120 metres.

Where: Off North Dublin, Meath & Louth

Submitted: August 2024

Status: Awaiting decision

Where: Off the coast of Wicklow & Arklow

Submitted: September 2024

Status: Open to observsations

Codling Windpark is a proposed offshore wind farm 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.  This will be Ireland’s largest offshore windfarm with 75 turbines, proposed to stand between 288 meters and 314 meters tall, higher than any existing wind turbine in the world.  This will have significant detrimental effects to the biodiversity of the area.

The application for this development was submitted by the developer in September 2024 and is currently open to observations by the public.  We need you to lodge an observation to show that the public disagrees with this inappropriately planned marine development.

Where: Off the coast of Wicklow

Submitted: Yet to be submitted

An Bord Pleanála has received an application from SSE Renewables (Sure Partners) for a Wind Farm on the Arklow Sandbank. Option 1 proposes 56 turbines at 273m high, and Option 2 proposes 46 turbines at 287m high, with both options requiring two offshore platforms for electricity sub-stations.

The proposed location on sandbanks and close to the coast is unsuitable. The construction could devastate the sandbank, cause irreparable coastal damage, increase erosion rates, and threaten the sand dunes at Brittas Bay Beach. The proximity of 6km to 15km to the shore would not be permitted in other EU countries, especially in conservation areas of outstanding natural beauty.

This application has yet to be submitted.  Check back here for more details on lodging an application.

Where: Kish bank and Bray bank, off the coast of Dublin

Submitted: Yet to be submitted

The Dublin Array consists of the Kish and Bray sandbanks and is the closest to Dalkey. German energy company RWE and Irish company Saorgus plan to construct 45 to 61 wind turbines on these sandbanks, 10 km off the Irish east coast. The turbines will be between 270 and 310 metres tall – once again taller than any wind turbine that exists today and taller than the Eiffel tower. This project will not only have a considerable environmental impact but also affect the visual aesthetics of our unspoiled coastline. While this is a national issue, the impact of the Dublin Array will be significant in our community.

The developer has not submitted an application to Bord Pleanala yet but is likely to do so before Christmas 2024.  This will be updated with the application details and how to submit observations once the application is submitted.

Where: Off the coast of Galway

Submitted: Yet to be submitted

Where: Off the coast of Connemara

Submitted: Yet to be submitted

Have your voice heard

Lodge an observation on the Codling Windfarm

EDF Renewables and Fred Olsen Seawind have submitted their planning application for the Marine development Codling Windfarm.  The public can lodge observations on the application and voice their concerns. We need as many people as possible to lodge observations to highlight the public sentiment that Ireland needs the best possible wind technology which will provide renewable energy and conserve our delicate ecosystems.

It costs €50 to lodge an observation on a Marine development and they can be submitted by post or online.

You must upload a document with the following details:

  • The case number: OA29N.320768
  • Your name and address
  • The reasons for objecting

Use this template to help you or write your own observation.  Details of the development can be found here.

Observations on Codling Windfarm close on

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