Waterford windfarm receives update as councillors express concerns over project
The Tonn Nua wind farm is the first phase of the 'Powering Up Offshore Southcoast' project.
Waterford City and County councillors have expressed concerns regarding the planned development of the 900 megawatt Tonn Nua wind farm due to be constructed off the Waterford coast by 2033.
The construction is headed by Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC, a joint venture between ESB and Danish energy company Orsted.
Representatives from EirGrid delivered a presentation to the council on Thursday, January 15, outlining the timeline for the project and the provisional extension of the energy grid for the project.
Public engagement manager Graham Parker said that 50% of energy produced by the project will go to the Waterford-Wexford area while the remainder will be routed to Cork.
EirGrid are currently in the process of seeking one landfall site in Cork and one in Waterford-Wexford to store the energy created through the project via its offshore substations.
One possible area for the landfall site is Bunmahon in West Waterford, while the other three potential sites are in Wexford.
Mr Parker said Bunmahon was unlikely to ultimately be selected for the landfall location.
Tonn Nua, which is expected to power around 800,000 homes when completed, is the first stage in the wider South Coast energy plans. Three more wind farms have been touted across the area.
Some councillors questioned the project’s net benefit for Waterford.
Independent Councillor Blaise Hannigan said: “I see no benefit whatsoever for Waterford. I am in favour of wind farms, but I don’t see a benefit to my town, my county and my city.
“When it comes to voting in the future, I’ll let people in Waterford city and county tell me how to vote, at this point in time I see no benefit for Waterford.”
Mr Parker said the project had to be seen through the lens of the South East and not merely Waterford.
“It’s strengthening the whole region… We’ve got a community benefit fund in recognition of the impact of the project on the region."
Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Cronin reiterated Cllr. Hannigan’s concerns.
Mr Parker said: “It’s an investment in the grid, it’s an investment in green infrastructure.
“Where you have a strong grid, you’re generally getting stronger investment in the region.”
The project now sits in the engagement/consultation phase with a marine and lands survey currently taking place.
The planning process for the project is expected to take two years from 2028 to 2029, with the construction of the wind farm scheduled to finish in 2033.
Sinn Féin representatives John Hearne and Jim Griffin questioned the impact of the wind farm on the local fishing industry.
EirGrid Fishing Liaison Officer Ronan Lynch said appropriate communication and consultation would be carried out with the fishing industry. EirGrid plan to use rock shields for cables that run above the seabed.
Mr Parker said that the back end of Tonn Nua would be 15 kilometres away from Waterford’s coast.
Questioned on why the turbines would take more than seven years to construct, Mr Parker said an extensive amount of surveys had to be carried out before construction could begin.
The 20-year contract-for-difference for Tonn Nua was awarded to Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC in November at a strike price of €98.72 per hour.
