Oriel Windfarm opens new Public Information Office

The proposed Oriel windfarm is planned for the waters off the coast of north County Louth. Once operational, the offshore wind farm will generate enough electricity to cover the needs of over 300,000 households – more than the population of counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. Oriel will thereby contribute to the reduction of Ireland’s carbon emissions by 600,000 tonnes per annum.

In addition to the environmental benefit, the Oriel project will also deliver significant investment in the area and generate local economic benefits during construction and operation.

Garrett Connell, Project Manager for Oriel Windfarm Ltd. says:

“Opening this office is another important step forward in the development of the Oriel wind farm. We look forward to welcoming everyone who wants to find out more about the project and value everyone’s interest and want to encourage people to engage with us.”

The project, which was first promoted more than a decade ago, has been the subject of a preliminary design update and a recent round of extensive environmental studies, with over 20,000 hours of research carried out in the last two years. The project team are aiming to make a formal planning application in mid-2021.

The Oriel project is likely to be one of the leaders in the first phase of offshore wind development in Ireland. The wind farm has been designated with ‘Relevant Project’ status by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This means that Oriel will be one of the first that can apply for planning permission consideration under the new marine planning and development management legislation, which should come into effect in early 2021.

Oriel will begin the next phase of public consultation in late January 2021. This phase will include the proposals to update the design of the wind farm and outline the results of environmental studies conducted to date. Full details of the consultation will be advertised from the start of January. The consultation will be managed in a manner which ensures public safety considering COVID-19 restrictions.

In advance of the consultation process Oriel is inviting the public to visit its Information Office to learn more about the project and to engage with the project team. To arrange a visit, simply contact Oriel Windfarm by emailing contact@orielwindfarm.ie or call 01 963 0313 to arrange a call back. Visits to the Public Information Office can be arranged by appointment only and will be subject to current COVID-19 restrictions.