Moneypoint Offshore Wind Project

Moneypoint Offshore Wind Farm is ESB and Equinor’s flagship floating offshore wind development project proposed in Ireland. If developed, the project will be delivered in two phases. The first phase, Moneypoint Offshore One is located 16km off the Clare /Kerry Coast. The expected capacity from the first phase is estimated to be 400MW with the final windfarm area likely to be in the order of 70km². The second phase, Moneypoint Offshore Two would be located a further 20km west of Moneypoint Offshore One, taking the total project capacity to between 1GW – 1.5GW. The latter phase would have a likely area of 200km². The expected capacity output of the project as a whole, could provide enough energy to power up to 1.5 million homes.

The project will take its name from ESB’s Moneypoint Coal fired plant in Co.Clare, Ireland’s largest electricity generation station to date. This plant was once a lifeline to the Irish electricity transmission system but with the aim to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gases, the coal plant is due to cease operation in 2025. This wind farm is likely to connect into Moneypoint substation and utilise the spare capacity available following the coal plant closure. The evolution and transition of this plant from coal to renewables will see the continued supply of electricity generation from this area but from a cleaner energy source.

In January 2021, ESB and Equinor submitted a Foreshore License application to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The grant of a Foreshore license will convey the right to undertake preliminary survey work and site investigation studies for what could be the location of the Moneypoint Offshore One Wind farm and its grid connection route.

Such site investigation studies relate to the cable corridor, cable landfall areas, and the indicative location of the site respectively. The results of the proposed survey work, in conjunction with other desktop studies, will assist in determining the feasibility of developing an offshore wind farm at this location.

Should the site be deemed suitable for an offshore windfarm, ESB and Equinor aim to seek planning permission for the project at the appropriate time under the terms of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill which is due to be enacted in 2021. Please see here for more information.