Arklow Bank Wind Park 2
The Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 project, which is under development, will be located off the coast of Arklow, Co. Wicklow and is planned to be the next phase of wind energy development at Arklow Bank and will have a maximum export capacity of up to 800MW.
Phase 1 of the Wind Park was constructed in 2003/04 consisting of seven wind turbines with a capacity of 25.2 MW. Phase 1 is owned and operated by GE Energy under a sublease to the foreshore lease and remains the first and only operational offshore wind farm in Ireland.
Now, we are proposing to invest up to €2.5 billion to develop Arklow Bank Wind Park to its full potential.
Latest updates
Offshore Planning Consent Application Submitted
The latest and most significant milestone in the delivery of SSE’s flagship Irish offshore wind farm project, Arklow Bank Wind Park 2, was achieved on June 6th 2024, with the submission of our project’s offshore planning consent application to Ireland’s planning authority, An Bord Pleanála. The application marks the culmination of almost seven years’ development work and is the final consent required to move the project onto construction stage.
The application, an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement along with other documents can be viewed at: www.arklowbank2offshoreplanning.ie
Latest updates
Socio Economic Report (November 2023)
We have announced preliminary data which outlines the significant socio-economic impact Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 is expected to have on the local region of Wicklow and Wexford, as well as the wider national benefits.
It details the potential economic benefit throughout the project’s lifetime, including the approximate 35-year operational phase, as well as expected employment and job creation throughout the project’s different phases of delivery and operation.
The full report will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála within our offshore planning application in early 2024.
Latest updates
Scoping Report Publication
The Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 Scoping Report has been published and is available to read by clicking below.
This report provides stakeholders with information on the proposed development and allows for stakeholder engagement on the key topics to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) e.g., baseline data sources and assessment methodologies.
Newsletter updates
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Click to subscribeGenerating opportunities
We plan to create around 80 full-time jobs to support the operation of the new offshore wind farm.
These local jobs will be sustained over the lifespan of the wind farm and will be based out of a new purpose-built Operations and Maintenance Facility at Arklow Harbour’s South Dock.
During construction and operation, we plan to support local businesses across South Wicklow and North Wexford, including companies in the supply chain in Wicklow Port and Arklow Harbour.
Following the transfer of Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 to the MAP process in March 2022, the project has been revised to substantially increase the power generation output from the site up to 800MW. This means the project will be able to make an even more significant contribution to Ireland’s climate action target of at least 5GW by 2030, and to Ireland’s national and local economy.
A Maritime Area Consent (MAC) which grants seabed rights was granted in December 2022.
The project will be capable of offsetting around 830 million kilos of harmful carbon emissions annually.
The upscaled offshore wind energy project is anticipated to move into construction in 2026/27, with first power expected by 2030.
Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 Infrastructure
- Between 47 – 56 wind turbines, each comprising a foundation, tower, nacelle and rotor assembly.
- One to two Offshore Substations Platforms (OSP) and foundation substructures.
- A network of inter-array cabling; and
- Two offshore export cables.
- Two underground electricity cables will connect from the landfall to the onshore substation
- A new 220kV onshore substation and connection to the transmission system to distribute the energy across Ireland.
- A new purpose-built maintenance base at Arklow Harbour's South Dock to facilitate service and maintenance operations
- Office, parking and warehousing facilities for around 80 full-time local staff operatives
- Marine infrastructure, including pontoons and berths for Crew
- Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs)
Find out more about each of the main project elements
Offshore infrastructure
Click to find out moreOnshore infrastructure
Click to find out moreOnshore Maintenance Facility
Click to find out moreFind out more
For project newsletters, information on our Sponsorship Fund and general information about the project, please click below:
Find out moreGet in touch
Call, text, or email our Community Engagement Manager:
Deirdre Keogh is our dedicated Community Engagement Manager for Arklow Bank Wind Park 2. Locally-based, Deirdre is available Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm, or alternatively by appointment outside of these hours.
Deirdre is contactable on 087 1822587, or by email at [email protected]
Write to us! If you would like to contact us via post, mark the envelope for the attention of Deirdre Keogh, Arklow Bank Wind Park 2, and send it to:
SSE Renewables,
South County Business Park,
Red Oak South,
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18,
D18 W688.
^834,286 homes powered based on projected installed capacity, typical projected wind load factor of 50%, and typical annual consumption 4,200kWh. Quoted 826,944,000 kilos of carbon emissions abated based on projected annual MWh output and latest average CO2 Emissions (0.236g/kWh) in the All-Island Single Electricity Market, and published by the CRU in its Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions for 2020, October 2021.