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ESB to host a series of Public Exhibitions on Helvick Head Offshore Wind

At ESB we know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering Net Zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. We are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society, and this includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so that we can deliver these significant projects.

Helvick Head Offshore Wind is a proposed 800MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm, to be located approximately 10km off the southeast coast of County Waterford.

To give local communities the opportunity to learn more about the project, we are hosting a series of public exhibitions. The exhibitions are a follow-on from the project’s virtual consultation room (open online from 31st May to 11th July 2022) and will offer attendees the opportunity to review up-to-date information on the project as well as to meet with the project team.

The exhibitions will take place as follows:
Tuesday 29th November, 4-8pm, Majestic Hotel, Tramore
Wednesday 30th November, 4-8pm, Dunhill Multi-Education Centre, Dunhill
Thursday 1st December, 4-8pm, Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan

15th November 2022 – Public webinar on Helvick Head Offshore Wind

ESB will host a webinar on the proposed Helvick Head Offshore Wind project from 7:30-8:30pm on Wednesday 15th November. The webinar will provide up-to-date information from the Helvick Head project team as well as offer an opportunity to the public to submit questions or provide feedback. All questions and answers will be added to the project website after the event, www.helvickheadoffshorewind.ie

If you wish to attend, please email info@helvickheadoffshorewind.ie requesting same and providing your name and email address. An invite will then be issued in advance of the webinar.

Additionally, if you have any questions you would like the project team to answer, please send them to info@helvickheadoffshorewind.ie.

February 2022 – Public Consultation opens for Helvick Head Offshore Wind Foreshore Licence application

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is scheduled to launch a formal public consultation on the Helvick Head Offshore Wind Foreshore Licence application on Monday 14th February 2022. The consultation will be open until Tuesday 15th March 2022 and will be available at https://www.gov.ie/en/foreshore-notice/338fa-esb-wind-development-limited-site-investigations-off-waterford-and-cork-coasts-helvick-head-offshore-wind/
Submissions can be made in writing to: Foreshore Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Newtown Road, Wexford, Co Wexford or via email to foreshoreORE@housing.gov.ie.

December 2020 – ESB applies for a Foreshore Licence for Helvick Head Offshore Wind.

The Helvick Head Offshore Wind Foreshore Licence application was submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and will be available to view on the Departments website. Formal public consultation will commence once the Department make the application available to the public. A link to the relevant Department webpage will be posted on this website as soon as it is available.

26th June 2020 – Programme for government includes support for Offshore Wind Energy

The Programme for Government agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party negotiators on 15 June 2020 was ratified on Friday, 26 June 2020. This document acknowledges the role offshore energy will play in Irelands future, stating:

“We will also produce a longer-term plan setting out how, as a country, we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast. This plan will set out how Ireland can become a major contributor to a pan-European renewable energy generation and transmission system, taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our deeper waters in the Atlantic.

This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure. It will seek to create the right investment environment, support ocean energy research, develop and demonstrate floating wind, tidal, and wave power, together developing innovative transmission and storage technologies, such as high-voltage, direct-current interconnection and green hydrogen on an all-island basis. This plan will set out a path to achieving 5GW capacity in offshore wind by 2030 off Ireland’s Eastern and Southern coasts.”