DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy, and global energy leader Iberdrola have announced a sponsorship deal with the Cork-based ‘Clean Coasts Ballynamona’ under their Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park joint venture project, which is located off the south coast of Ireland. 

The partnership will provide funding for the purchase of a boat and a range of equipment to assist with the protection of waterways, coastline, seas and marine life off the south coast, further demonstrating DP Energy and Iberdrola’s commitment to supporting conservation and the restoration of biodiversity in coastal waters. The funding will also be used to facilitate a range of science-backed education programmes to promote biodiversity. 

The multi-award-winning Clean Coasts Ballynamona manages almost 80kms (or 3%) of the total Irish coastline for marine litter and manages 34 acres of coastal habitats for biodiversity. Part of the Sea and Land Trust, the organisation has more than 300 volunteers and organises many coastal clean-ups every year, removing tonnes of marine litter, and engages with schools and businesses in Environmental Education. 

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects. 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.  

Located off the coasts of Cork and Waterford, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a 1,000 MW (1GW) floating offshore wind project. The project is in its early development stage, with ecology and site investigation surveys underway. Once operational, it is estimated that Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park could produce enough clean renewable energy 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. 

Commenting on the sponsorship milestone, Yvonne Cronin, DP Energy’s Community and Stakeholder Liaison Manager, said: “We are really proud to be involved with Clean Coasts Ballynamona and the inspiring work they are undertaking along the Cork coastline. The purchase of this equipment will increase the effectiveness of the initiative by facilitating access to currently inaccessible areas that are harbouring vast quantities of marine litter. The partnership also underlines the commitment that Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park, through DP Energy and Iberdrola, has for an ethical and sustainable approach to offshore wind development.” 

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Senior Project Manager, said: “Clean Coasts Ballynamona and their hundreds of volunteers really make a positive contribution to the local community.  It is challenging work cleaning and maintaining part of the Irish coastline and we hope that this agreement will help to make some of those tasks a little easier to manage. We are very proud to support such important work.” 

Proinsias Ó Tuama, Founder of Clean Coasts Ballynamona, said: “We’re delighted to have the team behind Inis Ealga Marine Park with us on this initiative. This equipment and boat will allow the impact and reach of our work and actions to be greatly enhanced, whether for access to inaccessible coastal areas or to support much-needed citizen science programmes. This equipment will be a multiplier of our capabilities and assist us in tackling and solving the issues affecting our coast locally and nationally. We hope that the learning outcomes of this solution focused project will help other coastal communities around 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 Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park off the south 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 Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park.  The future EIAR will outline the potential effects that the project, if carried out, could have on the surrounding onshore and offshore environment. Located off the coast of counties Cork and Waterford, Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park has the potential to be an up to 1,000 MW (1GW) floating offshore wind project.

Consultation on the EIAR Scoping Report is now open until 21^st September 2022, with a copy of the EIAR Scoping Report available for review at the following locations from the 18^th of July:

• Carrigaline Library, Carrigaline Middle, Carrigaline.
• Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street, Cork City.
• Cork City Library, 61 Grand Parade, Cork City.
• Cork County Offices, Boycetown Carrigaline.
• Knockraha Community Hall, Gogganstown, Knockraha, Co. Cork.
• Midleton County Council offices, Youghal Rd, Park South, Midleton.
• Midleton Garda Station, Midleton, Co. Cork.
• Youghal County Council, Mall House, Youghal-Lands, Youghal.
• Youghal Library, North Main St, Youghal-Lands, Youghal.

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

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects, including the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park. 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.

Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigations being planned. Based on high-level modelling, it is estimated that,  Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park could generate enough clean renewable electricity to supply up to 1 million homes annually. The project, programmed to be operational by 2030, has potential to significantly contribute to Ireland’s national targets for renewable energy generation for 2030 and beyond.

Royal HaskoningDHV and Mott MacDonald 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, wildlife and human populations. 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 Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a significant milestone on the path to eventual preparation of a Development Permission 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: “Offshore wind has a positive role to play in Ireland`s energy transition and in creating economic opportunities. The EIAR Scoping Report is an important step forward in the process of ensuring that the project is designed in the best way possible”

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.

The Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of a world-leading Environmental team. DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy, and global energy leader Iberdrola have appointed Royal HaskoningDHV together with Mott MacDonald to lead the production of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the proposed offshore wind project off the south coast of Ireland.

Royal HaskoningDHV has been awarded the work as lead consultant, alongside Mott MacDonald as a partner consultant, which will be supporting the project from its Dublin and Cork offices, further demonstrating DP Energy and Iberdrola’s commitment to supporting the local economy.

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects. 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.

Located off the South Coast, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a 1,000 MW (1GW) floating offshore wind project.

The Inis Ealga project is currently in its early development stage, with ecology surveys underway and site investigation surveys being planned. Once operational, the floating offshore wind farm will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of nearly 860,000 Irish homes. The project is programmed to be operational by 2030, and will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80% of Ireland’s electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030 and will also help deliver Ireland’s target of 30GW of operational offshore wind by 2030.

Royal HaskoningDHV and Mott MacDonald will deliver a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report to examine the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment including sea, land and wildlife throughout the project lifecycle from site investigations to construction and right through to  operation and eventual decommissioning of the wind farm.

The EIAR will also report on the potential impacts of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park on other key receptors including commercial fisheries, fish ecology, landscape, seascape, cultural heritage, tourism, transport and aviation.

Adam Cronin, DP Energy’s Head of Offshore said: “This announcement is a significant step in the proposed development of the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park and a significant contributor to Ireland reaching its climate action goals. Royal HaskoningDHV are industry leaders in delivering Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and this, coupled with Mott MacDonald’s expertise and local knowledge, will enable us to complete this important project for the south west coast of Ireland. We look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Project Manager, said: “Inis Ealga is progressing well and this contract marks an important milestone for the project. These detailed studies will help us to design an offshore windfarm that will benefit both local communities and national climate goals.”

Commenting on the appointment, Alistair Davison, Royal HaskoningDHV’s EIAR Project Director, said: “We are delighted to be supporting DP Energy and Iberdrola to create the comprehensive and robust EIAR for the Inis Ealga consent application. Supporting the development of one of the first major floating offshore wind farms in Ireland is an exciting prospect indeed.  We are also really pleased to be working with Mott MacDonald. Our project teams are integrating well and we feel this is a strong partnership with great potential.”

A public information evening took place for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project last month, with a series of public consultation events to be announced over the coming period. A recording of the evening is available on the project website at https://inisealgamarineenergypark.com/community/.

A virtual consultation room is currently open for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project and is available at https://www.innovision.ie/inisealga.

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy projects, and global energy leader Iberdrola have joined forces with STEAM Education Ltd to launch a series of Green Energy and Climate Action Education Programmes to inspire the next wave of climate scientists, engineers, artists and active citizens.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths and the mission of the organisation is to inspire children to love STEAM subjects, with the help of its partners and community.

The Green Energy & Climate Action Education Programmes will engage 4^th to 6^th 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 will be 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.

Classes will receive a five-lesson STEAM programme, focusing either on Engineering or Climate Action. The Engineering programme will introduce the various types of engineering, its role in the development of renewable energy sources, and will engage children in a series of challenges that will develop their creative and critical thinking. The Climate Action programme will explore the science of climate change, its causes and effects, as well as the development of sustainable solutions.

DP Energy will directly assist the programme by supporting STEAM in the delivery of several lessons in person and actively engaging with students during the activities to provide industry expertise.

According to Managing Director of STEAM Education, Dr. Alice D’Arcy: “Supporting children and young people to think creatively, work collaboratively, and understand the science behind the climate crisis are key to empowering them to deal with the significant issues coming down the tracks; we are thrilled that innovative companies like DP and Iberdrola both recognise and support the necessity for, and value in this approach, and look forward to helping build resilient communities together.”

Welcoming the launch, Lisa Enright, Community Liaison Officer, at DP Energy said: “We are delighted with the opportunity to engage with the community and to assist with the development of educational programmes and support school-based activities that will strengthen the interest of the students in science and research activities and to enhance their aspirations in these areas.”

DP Energy is one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy projects. Headquartered in Buttevant in North Cork and operating across the world, the company is committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods possible in all of their energy developments.

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with global energy leader Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects. 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.

Located off the South Coast of Ireland, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park will utilise Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) technology located off the East Coast of Ireland, the Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm will utilise Fixed Bottom Technology. Upon completion, the developments will have the potential capacity of up to 1000 MW each – enough clean green energy to power up to 1 million Irish homes. Planned to be operational by 2030, the facilities will directly contribute to Ireland’s climate objective to reduce CO₂ emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieve Net-Zero by 2050.

Commenting on the importance of inspiring the next generation, Holly Cartwright, Head of Offshore Development – UK and Ireland said: “The transition to green energy is vital for the environment and it will also offer a wide-range of sustainable career opportunities for decades to come. We hope that the programme can help to inspire some of the students to think about a STEAM-related career that supports the fight against climate change.”

Further information is also available on the project websites www.inisealgamarineenergypark.com and www.shelmalereoffshorewindfarm.com

Students of Templebreedy National School, Image by Darragh Kane.