Fred. Olsen Seawind, EDF Slash Turbine Count for Codling Wind Park

Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables have confirmed a 25 per cent reduction in the number of turbines required to deliver the 1,300 MW Codling offshore wind farm in Ireland. The project will now feature a maximum of 75 wind turbines, instead of the previously anticipated 100 units.

The new details about the project were announced ahead of a third and final series of public engagements which will be taking place in April.

Previously, it had been thought that around 100 wind turbines would be needed for the project. However, announcing the details of the wind farm’s final design and layout today, on April 5th, the project confirmed that a maximum of 75 and a minimum of 60 units would now be required.

The latest reduction is attributed to advancements in wind turbine technology, including more efficient turbine models, combined with a deeper understanding of the wind farm site, according to the joint venture.

The minimum proposed turbine tip height has also been set at 288 metres or a maximum of 314 metres.

Although there is a significant reduction in wind turbines, the project will still generate 1,300 MW of clean electricity, enough to power over one million Irish homes, according to the press release.

“The design of the project has been informed by a range of inputs including geophysical, aerial and vessel-based surveys – some going back over 15 years – which have all fed into an extremely detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report which forms a critical part of the planning application,” said Scott Sutherland, Project Director.

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Subject to it receiving planning permission and all other necessary permits and consents being received, Codling Wind Park could begin construction in 2026-27. The planning application for the project is planned to be submitted in summer 2024.

Construction is expected to take two to three years to complete. The project is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the construction phase and 75 new, long-term jobs associated with its proposed operations and maintenance base.

Located 13 to 22 kilometres off the County Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town, the project was one of Ireland’s seven offshore wind farms that were awarded Maritime Area Consents (MACs). Codling Wind Park Ltd. secured its Contract for Difference (CfD) at a strike price EUR/MWh 89.82.