The Dublin Array project team have applied for a licence to carry out further marine surveys at the site of the proposed Dublin Array offshore wind farm. The application for a Foreshore Licence has been made to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is open to public submissions until 17.30 on December 17th.
The licence will allow the Dublin Array team to carry out marine geophysical, geotechnical and ecological surveys. These will help determine the detailed design of the proposed wind farm and the optimal construction approach. The license, if granted, is not a planning consent that allows the project to be constructed. It is only a licence to survey.
The Dublin Array project team are hoping to finalise the planning stage design of the project in 2022. As part of this process the team plan to hold another extensive phase of public consultation. After this, a development consent (i.e. planning permission) application will be submitted, most likely towards end of 2022 subject to the proposed new planning system under the Maritime Area Planning legislation being in place at that time. There will then be a further opportunity for public engagement and comment.
To view the full details of the Foreshore Licence application, please visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/foreshore-notice/96643-fs007188-rwe-renewables-ireland-site-investigations-for-the-proposed-dublin-array-ore-development/
The area being surveyed can be seen in the map below. This area is larger than the wind farm development footprint to enable collection of ecological data from the wider surrounding environment in line with best practice.
Our wind farm area has remained unchanged and can be seen in the figure below.
