Operations Base
Operations Base
Dublin’s Arrays Proposed Operations Base – St. Michaels Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour
What Is an Operations Base?
An Operations Base acts as the headquarters for an offshore wind farm and is where the day-to-day management, operation and maintenance of the wind farm is coordinated. For Dublin Array, the Operations Base will serve as the onshore hub from which offshore activities are planned and monitored, vessel operations are managed, and the performance of the wind farm is overseen in a safe and efficient manner.
Typical Offshore Wind Operations Warehouse
An Operations Base acts as the headquarters for an offshore wind farm and is where the day-to-day management, operation and maintenance of the wind farm is coordinated. For Dublin Array, the Operations Base will serve as the onshore hub from which offshore activities are planned and monitored, vessel operations are managed, and the performance of the wind farm is overseen in a safe and efficient manner.
The proposed facility will include office accommodation, an operations control centre, warehouse space for storing small spare parts, a workshop, and dedicated vessel berthing infrastructure. From here, the Dublin Array team will coordinate offshore activities, monitor offshore assets, manage vessel movements and support the ongoing operation of the wind farm.
Typical Offshore Wind Operations Control Centre
A key function of the Operations Base will be to support offshore maintenance activities. Highly trained technicians will travel daily between Dún Laoghaire Harbour and the wind farm using specially designed Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). These vessels will transport personnel, tools and small items of equipment required for inspections, planned maintenance and repairs. Once work is completed offshore, personnel will return to the Operations Base.
To learn more about a typical day in the life of an offshore wind technician, watch this short video from RWE’s Humber Gateway offshore wind farm:
Importantly, the Operations Base will not be used for the assembly, storage or marshalling of wind turbines, offshore substations, export cables or other large project components. These construction activities require specialist industrial port facilities and will be undertaken elsewhere. The infrastructure proposed at Dún Laoghaire Harbour is specifically designed to support the long-term operation and maintenance of the wind farm once it is operational.
Why Dún Laoghaire?
Importantly, the Operations Base will not be used for the assembly, storage or marshalling of wind turbines, offshore substations, export cables or other large project components. These construction activities require specialist industrial port facilities and will be undertaken elsewhere. The infrastructure proposed at Dún Laoghaire Harbour is specifically designed to support the long-term operation and maintenance of the wind farm once it is operational.
What Vessels Will Use the Harbour?
The vessels operating from the base will be CTVs, which transport technicians and equipment to and from the offshore wind farm.
Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) - Example
Length: 27m
Width: 9m
Service Speed: 26kts
Max. Speed: 31kts
Capacity: 24 pax
Operational Lim. (Hs): 1,5 – 1,75m
Fig 4: Typical Offshore Wind Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV)
A dedicated pontoon and access gangway is proposed at Berth 5 adjacent to St. Michaels Pier to support safe and efficient vessel operations. Berth 5 is the location where the redundant ferry infrastructure is currently located. To service the day to day operations of the wind farm typically two, and during peak periods a maximum of four CTVs are expected to be used. Each CTV would normally leave the harbour at the start of the day and return at the end of the day.
Typical floating pontoon and access gangway used for CTV operations (Source: Inland and coastal marina systems)
How will the Operations Base integrate with the future vision for the Harbour
Yes, Dún Laoghaire Harbour is home to a wide range of recreational, sporting and community activities, from sailing and kayaking to marina, tourism and watersports facilities. Dublin Array’s proposed Operations Base has been designed to operate alongside these existing uses and forms part of a broader vision of a multi-purpose harbour that supports recreation, tourism, business and maritime activity.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council published a Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan in December 2025.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Harbour Masterplan
The purpose of this spatial plan is to provide context and guidance for the potential future use and enhancement of the harbour area.
The proposed Operations Base is included in the masterplan as a proposed marine-related plan in the harbour area. The masterplan describes strategic ambitions for the harbour which includes the development of the proposed Dublin Array Operations Base.
To inform the preparation of the masterplan the team engaged with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and their masterplan team to ensure that the proposed development was designed (location, scale and appearance) in a manner to ensure compatibility with the intended other uses in the harbour.
As described in National Marine Planning Framework there is a requirement for the masterplan to encourage development which is critical to or supports the development of offshore renewable energy. The masterplan concludes that the design presented in the masterplan has taken due regard to the previous and current applications within and adjoining the site including commercial developments and local authority led schemes. This includes the integration of the Dublin Array Operations Base building on St. Michael’s Pier; the National Watersports Campus, Dun Laoghaire Living Streets public realm and Bus Connects works on Harbour Road.
The proposed Operations Base aligns with the ambitions of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan, which seeks to promote a vibrant, shared harbour environment that balances economic activity with recreation, tourism and public amenity.
Overview of St. Michaels Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan
Jobs & Economic Benefits
The proposed Operations Base will create a long-term operational presence in Dún Laoghaire Harbour, supporting approximately 80 direct jobs and up to 100 indirect jobs throughout the operational life of the wind farm.
The wider Dublin Array project is expected to support more than 800 full-time equivalent jobs during construction, creating opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and contractors.
Dublin Array Operations Base (CTV’s, Pontoon and Access yard)
In addition to direct employment, the Operations Base has the potential to attract investment in marine services, engineering, logistics, training and professional services, helping to strengthen Dún Laoghaire’s position as an important hub for Ireland’s offshore renewable energy industry.
Community Benefits
It is intended that the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Harbour Operations team will occupy a section of the proposed Dublin Array Operations Base. This will include office space for the Harbour Master and Harbour Operations team, changing facilities and drying rooms, a workshop and store rooms.
Experience from offshore wind projects around the world has demonstrated significant opportunities that can arise from hosting offshore wind operations facilities, including support for education, skills development, tourism, community investment and local economic growth.
In addition, Dublin Array has proposed a Community Benefit Fund of up to €6.5 million per annum over a 20-year period, creating a significant opportunity to support local initiatives and help deliver lasting benefits for the wider community. With Dún Laoghaire Harbour proposed as the home of the Dublin Array Operations Base, local organisations, community groups, sporting clubs and neighboring businesses will be well positioned to benefit from the increased investment, employment opportunities and long-term community funding associated with the project
Seas Cadets enjoying the benefits provided by RWE’s Robin Rigg project off the UK’s West Coast