Two off-shore windfarms on horizon for Waterford coast
The two windfarms will be located off the Waterford coastline in close proximity to two off Wexford
Members of the public are invited to have their say on the draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) which has just been published.
The plan, which is in respect of Ireland’s first ever spatial plan for renewable energy at sea, could see two offshore windfarms developed off the Waterford coast along with two off Wexford’s coast.
The draft plan, published by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, identifies four maritime areas off the south coast, in which development of offshore renewable energy (ORE) is proposed to take place over the next decade.
An independent economic analysis, published alongside the draft DMAP, highlighted potential economic benefits associated with plan, which could deliver inward investment of €4.4 billion, and an estimated 49,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) years of employment to the Irish economy.
The analysis further suggests that more than 65 per cent of inward investment and employment opportunities could be captured within the south coast region.
The draft South Coast DMAP is part of an overall plan-led approach to ensure that ORE will only be located in areas off the south coast that are environmentally suitable for such development. Protecting the marine environment and biodiversity and supporting people reliant on the sea for their livelihood are central to the sustainable development of the south coast’s ORE potential.
The four areas proposed were identified following comprehensive environmental assessment along with an engagement process that involved coastal communities and stakeholders, de-risking the DMAPs as much as possible.
