DP Energy and Iberdrola publish EIAR* Scoping Report for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm off the east coast of Ireland

*Environmental Impact Assessment Report

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy, and global energy leader Iberdrola have published an EIAR Scoping Report for their proposed Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm off the east coast of Ireland.

The EIAR Scoping Report sets out the proposed scope of and methodology for use in the preparation of the future Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm.  The future EIAR will outline the potential effects that the proposed project, if carried out, could have on the surrounding onshore and offshore environment. Located off the coast of counties Wicklow and Wexford, Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm has the potential to be an up to 1,000 MW (1GW) fixed-bottom offshore wind project.

Consultation for the EIAR Scoping Report is now open until the 1st of September 2022, with a copy of the EIAR Scoping Report available for review at the following locations:

  • Wexford County Council offices
  • Arklow Municipal District Council offices
  • Wexford Town Library
  • Courtown Harbour Garda Station
  • Gorey Library
  • Enniscorthy Library
  • Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Offices

The EIAR Scoping Report can also be viewed online at the project website www.shelmalereoffshorewindfarm.com/EIAR.

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects, including the Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers, Iberdrola has substantial experience in offshore wind development and importantly, shares DP Energy’s commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach to development.

The Shelmalere project is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigations surveys being planned. Once operational, it could generate enough clean renewable electricity to supply up to 1 million homes annually. The project is programmed to be operational by 2030 and will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

Fehily Timoney and Company, MarineSpace and Intertek were appointed earlier this year to develop a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report to examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land and wildlife. The appraisal to be set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report will look at the full project lifecycle from site investigations to construction and right through to operation and eventual decommissioning of the wind farm.

Edwina White, DP Energy’s Consenting and Environment Manager, said: “Publication of the EIAR Scoping Report for Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm is a significant milestone on the path to eventual preparation of a Development Consent Application for the project, supported by a robust and fitting EIAR. We very much look forward to engaging with all project stakeholders on the proposed approach to the EIAR set out in this EIAR Scoping Report.”

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Senior Project Manager, said: We would encourage everyone who has an interest in the project to look at the proposals and let us know your views. We want to ensure that Shelmalere is positive for both national clean energy goals and for local communities.”

DP Energy would like to hear from anyone with any queries or comments about the EIAR Scoping Report. Please email [email protected] to get in touch.

Ready, Steady, Paint! Local Wexford school students create their vision for a sustainable future with new mural

Students from 6th Class at St Mary’s National School, Ballygarrett, Wexford, have created a Green Energy mural for their playground with the help of artists from the Walls Project. The mural is the prize for the winning class of a Green Energy Art Competition organised by STEAM Education and supported by renewable energy companies DP Energy and Iberdrola as part of their community engagement for the Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm project.

The competition was the culmination of STEAM Education, DP Energy and Iberdrola’s partnership on a Green Energy and Climate Action Education Programme, which saw over 400 students along the east coast in the vicinity of the proposed Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm learn about climate change and engineering.  Participating pupils were asked to create their vision of a “seascape of the future” with a focus on renewable energy. The winner received a school mural inspired by their entry and a €50 One4all voucher.

The Green Energy & Climate Action Education Programmes has engaged 4th to 6th class students in approximately 20 local schools along the South Coast and East Coast with some of the most pressing issues facing the world today. Through a range of participatory activities and creative and scientific processes, the children are supported to understand the key issues about the Climate Crisis and encouraged to engage in positive climate action in their schools, homes and wider communities.

The Walls Project, creators of the Waterford Walls initiative, were commissioned to create the mural inspired by Kate’s entry. Artists Aisling Corcoran and Fiona Brady began the day with a Street Art Skills Workshop, teaching the 6th class students how to use spray paints, practicing with stencils and paper before taking their talents outside to their playground wall.

A second mural will be painted in South Abbey National School, Youghal, Co. Cork in the coming weeks, inspired by South coast winner Vito Beganovic’s entry.

The Walls Project creates and delivers large- and small-scale public art projects which transform and regenerate urban and rural spaces and connect communities through art. Bloom | The Art Project was founded by Aisling Corcoran and Frances Brady after discovering their shared vision to bring joy and happiness to people and communities through art.

Alice D’Arcy, Managing Director of STEAM Education said “the standard of the entries we received was extremely high, with some fantastic ideas for the future of renewable energy on display as well as very impressive artistic talent. We selected Kate Smith from St Mary’s Ballygarrett as our East Coast winner as her entry captured perfectly both the power of wind energy and the importance of biodiversity, key aspects of our Climate Action programme.”

DP Energy Community Liaison Officer Lisa Enright said that “it has been fantastic to have the opportunity to support education programmes that get children interested in vital areas like sustainability and green energy. Creative initiatives like this one are so important to get kids imagining what a sustainable future could look like and how they can be a part of it.”