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SBM Offshore planning floating wind projects offshore Northern Ireland
The Netherlands-based SBM Offshore has confirmed it is assessing Northern Ireland’s potential for floating wind development
In September 2021, the floating production and mooring system company said it wanted to co-develop or provide technology for at least 2 GW of floating offshore wind energy in the next decade. In December 2021, as exclusively revealed by OWJ, the Northern Ireland Executive issued a new energy strategy, ‘The Path to Net Zero Energy,’ that includes a renewable electricity target of at least 70% and a commitment to marine renewables, including offshore wind.
Project director for the proposed 400-MW North Channel Wind floating wind project in the Irish Sea Niamh Kenny said if it were to go ahead, the development could be a game changer for Northern Ireland.
“We are investigating two sites in the North Channel halfway between Northern Ireland and Scotland,” Ms Kenny said. “The two sites, North Channel 1 and 2, would generate a combined 400 MW, representing 13% of Northern Ireland’s energy needs and up to 57% of domestic requirement.”
The windfarms could be sited in areas between 12 km and 27 km from the coasts of counties Antrim and Down. The power they generate would be transmitted to shore, connecting to the grid at a location currently under consideration.
Ms Kenny said, “We are in discussions with the Northern Ireland Government, grid operator SONI, energy regulator UREGNI, Renewables NI and The Crown Estate. We have completed our site characterisation and have commenced a scoping exercise in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), part of the Northern Ireland Executive, which is the first step in applying for a marine licence to build offshore infrastructure.”
Representatives from North Channel Wind will be meeting with stakeholders including the fishing community, local interest groups and other marine users over the coming months to gauge reactions, optimise the project and to build partnerships which they believe will benefit the wider Northern Ireland community for many years to come.
The project would also create significant local supply chain opportunities including the assembly of the floaters, logistics, assembly, marine services and construction.
According to the company, North Channel Wind 1 is expected to be in the region of 300 MW and North Channel Wind 2 is expected to be in the region of 100 MW. Both would utilise SBM Offshore’s tension leg platform, an innovative floating structure for offshore wind turbines in which most of the structure is submerged under the water and is anchored to the seabed under tension to minimise movement. The floater was designed to be easy to install and have a reduced seabed footprint.
The projects will be in a water depth of approximately 120 m. North Channel Wind 1 has an area of approximately 94 km2 while North Channel Wind 2 has a site area of 38 km2. It is anticipated North Channel Wind 1 could accommodate 15-20 turbines depending on the turbines size selected, while North Channel Wind 2 would have five to seven turbines.
Information on the company’s website suggests that the projects could use turbines with a tip height of up to 300 m.
The company has stated that, subject to North Channel Wind securing relevant consents and seabed leases, construction could commence in 2027 with the sites becoming operational in 2029/2030.
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