'Landmark Day' - Port of Waterford lodges plans for multi-million euro off-shore wind terminal
Port of Waterford has lodged a direct planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for its Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Capable Terminal at Belview, County Kilkenny.
Port of Waterford has lodged a direct planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for its Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Capable Terminal at Belview, County Kilkenny.
The move has been hailed as a 'landmark day' for establishing Ireland's oldest port as a key player in the future of the country's renewable energy sector.
This new development follows on after the recent granting of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), which provides the legal basis for the Port to seek permission to develop the new infrastructure. By securing the MAC, a pathway was opened for the Port of Waterford to build a purpose-built ORE terminal.
Part of the plan includes a 250-metre long extension to the existing wharves in Belview.
The application also includes extensive land reclamation, new quayside operator support facilities with workshops and warehouses, berthing pontoons, and two separate three-storey office and staff buildings for ORE operators.
The development contains a replacement electricity substation, underground services, roof-mounted solar PV arrays to generate renewable power on site, and a dedicated biodiversity enhancement area of approximately 1.8 hectares.
The multi-million euro investment is to place Waterford as a 'as a strategic staging ground for major developments' including the Tonn Nua Offshore Wind Farm and other projects in the Celtic Sea.
With Ireland committed to generating 7 GW of offshore wind by 2030, the ORE Capable Terminal at Waterford is designed to support this target and beyond.
Port of Waterford CEO David Sinnott said: "This is a landmark day for Port of Waterford. Our application is about more than new infrastructure — it’s about creating jobs, driving growth in the South East, and helping Ireland meet its 2030 climate goals.
"Waterford has been a maritime gateway for over a thousand years, and now we are ready to lead Ireland into its offshore renewable future."
