Maureen De Pietro awarded Champion of Renewables at Irish Wind Industry Awards 2023

Members of our team attended the Wind Energy Ireland Irish Wind Industry Awards event last week during which our company founder Maureen was titled Champion of Renewables.

Commenting on the award, Wind Energy Ireland stated that “She continues to pioneer and innovate, embracing new opportunities for our sector around the co-location of wind and solar, tidal energy and floating offshore wind technologies. Her energy and enthusiasm inspire all around her, including many who have gone on to forge new frontiers in our industry. She is the living embodiment of the passion, ambition, commitment and positivity it takes to make real change.”

A snippet of the evening can be found below.

Gwynt Glas commits to readying the local supply chain for Floating Wind in the Celtic Sea

Gwynt Glas Floating Wind Energy, an EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy joint venture, is delighted to announce details of its first local supply chain event taking place 1st March at Parc y Scarlets,  South Wales.

The event is open to businesses interested in finding out about regional Floating Wind industry growth and participating in potential opportunities from the construction and operation of Gwynt Glas, subject to the project obtaining the permissions and leases required to develop a 1GW project in the Celtic Sea. Attendance is free but registration is required. To register for this event visit: https://tinyurl.com/GwyntGlasSupplierEvent

This event comes following the appointment of Mark Hazelton as Project Director who will lead the conversation at the event. Mark brings a wealth of experience working in the development, planning and policy elements of offshore wind having worked at The Crown Estate, managers of the seabed, and the Marine Management Organisation, UK marine licensing authority, before joining EDF Renewables UK where he has led the development both fixed and floating wind farm projects.

Mark Hazelton said:

“We are committed to working with local industry, maximising local benefits for communities and businesses and ensuring our proposal has a just transition towards net zero delivery at its core. Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea presents a significant opportunity to local businesses and we are keen to speak with local businesses to communicate how the Celtic Seas leasing will not only generate renewable energy and support our energy security, but explore how this development can protect and create local jobs.”

EDF has a track record in maximising local economic and social benefits when building large scale infrastructure projects. EDF is advanced in supporting emerging floating offshore wind technologies including currently building France’s first floating wind pilot-project, Provence Grand Large, which committed from the outset to mobilise local companies. EDF is also building Hinkley Point C in Somerset, one of the largest construction projects in Europe, which is projected to invest £18 billion in Britain and support 71,000 job opportunities across the UK.

Gwynt Glas is equally as determined to support local jobs and supply chains. The March supply chain event is being held in collaboration with Swansea Bay Business Club and takes place ahead of their St David’s Day Business Lunch. Swansea Bay Business Club is the region’s premier networking business club.

The President of Swansea Bay Business Club, Michael Morgan from Morgan & Morgan Business and Technology said: “Our one simple objective is to stimulate prosperity and our St David’s Day Celebration, sponsored by Gwynt Glas, is a great example of how the business community is supporting each other and supporting growth in the region.”

DP Energy-100% committed to a world fully powered by renewable energy

Can you imagine a non-fossil fuelled world that is solely powered by renewable energy? And can you imagine this mission being led from Cork?

This is the overall goal of DP Energy, the Cork-based company that develops large scale renewable energy projects worldwide using only energy from the sun (wind, solar and wave energy) and ocean energy and tidal from gravity influenced by the moon.

DP Energy is a family company, led by co-founders Maureen De Pietro and Simon De Pietro, a mother and son partnership, who have been developing wind energy projects for over 30 years with the fundamental belief that renewables are both necessary, and inevitable, for a better world but also that they must be delivered by applying the most environmentally responsible methods with as little impact as possible on the other species that share this planet.

DP Energy is headquartered in Buttevant in North Cork, where DP’s Irish onshore team is located, whilst its Irish offshore team is located next to the water (appropriately) at Horgan’s Quay, Cork city.

The business employs a team of highly experienced engineers, marine scientists, planning experts, project managers, environmental managers and financial, legal and technical experts.

The company is a proud member of Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), the renamed Irish Wind Energy Association of which Maureen was a key member of the Council as early as 1993 in the infancy of the wind industry in Ireland. Simon has been co-president of Ocean Energy Europe for over 10 years. Both Maureen and Simon see reliance on wind and the ocean as vital for Ireland’s future energy supply.

DP Energy delivered its first wind farm projects in Tyrone in 1993 and in Leitrim in 1996 and ,since then, has delivered multiple projects across Ireland (including Cork) and the UK as well as further afield in Australia and Canada.

To date, the company has developed over 1GW (1000 MW) of renewable energy projects, the majority of which are already built and operational, and has a further 750MW at late stage of development scheduled to enter construction in 2023/24.

Beyond that DP Energy has an immediate pipeline of 7GW of renewable projects including here in Ireland, and is still exploring new markets. These projects variously range from GW+ scale Offshore Wind projects and multi 100+ MW onshore wind and solar projects, to medium scale solar behind the meter (not exported to the national grid) and even smaller scale solar projects supporting communities including its local Buttevant 5MW community solar project.

In Ireland, DP Energy continues to develop further onshore wind and solar with battery storage, but its biggest news is around Offshore Wind. Since 2015 DP Energy has been moving further into offshore wind as a natural progression from both its onshore and ocean energy experience.

Charlie Jordan, CEO of Scottish Power Renewables; Simon De Pietro, CEO of DP Energy;  Micheál Martin, Taoiseach; Johanna Murphy, president, Cobh Chamber Commerce; Maureen De Pietro, director of DP Energy;  Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Gillian Noble, offshore managing director of Scottish Power; and Adam Cronin, head of offshore, DP Energy. Offshore wind now forms an important part of DP energy’s non-fossil fuelled world objective. Wind energy offshore is typically stronger and more consistent than that on land due to the absence of any physical barriers. In addition, the very major scale of offshore projects enables significant inroads into making CO2 savings.

DP Energy is actively pursuing a number of offshore wind projects worldwide including here in Ireland where it has partnered with Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers and one of the world’s most experienced offshore wind operators, to establish three off-shore wind projects on the south, east and west coasts. These will deliver 3GW of clean power.

Those projects include DP Energy’s home Cork project, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park which is located off the Cork and Waterford coasts. The good news is that Inis Ealga and the other projects will not only help battle climate change, support Irish industry and Irish jobs, but also reduce Ireland’s dependency on imported fossil fuels while also providing the opportunity for Ireland to become a major exporter of energy.

DP Energy’s goal is delivery of all three projects as quickly as possible in order to contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030, 7GW of offshore wind by 2030 and, of course, to make the largest contribution as early as we can to fight the battle against global climate change.

DP Energy is aligned and supports Government aspirations of 30GW (or more) of offshore renewables beyond 2030 as we both strive to achieve Net-Zero carbon target by 2050 and to support our European neighbours meeting theirs (using Irish wind). Taking Inis Ealga alone, with a notional capacity of 1,000 MW (1 GW) the project could generate enough energy to power the equivalent of nearly one million Irish homes.

Many of the onshore ecology, offshore bird and marine mammal surveys and preliminary site investigation studies are underway or completed, and recently DP Energy undertook a seabed geophysical survey.

The survey, which covered approximately 900 Km2 beyond the 12 nautical mile limit, was undertaken by Hydrographic Surveys of Crosshaven onboard the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel, ILV Granuaile, a multifunctional ship. (Irish vessel, Irish surveyor, Irish Fisheries Liaison Officer and Irish Developer!).

We were pleased in this process to engage with the local fishermen to minimise any disruption to their fishing activities and with other stakeholders to ensure that the surveys were undertaken with the care necessary to sit within DP Energy’s ethos of ‘environmental responsibility’.

DP Energy recognises the need to share the sea and that open and genuine engagement with the local fishing community is critical. To facilitate this, the team actively engage directly not just with fisheries organisations but also with local fishermen one-to-one in order to understand the individual needs of each fisher.

DP Energy is truly committed to being at the centre of the transformation of Ireland’s energy industry and being a significant employer for the country’s most talented, motivated and innovative individuals in this sector.

The team has already expanded significantly, with the addition of Grid Managers, Project Managers, Community Engagement Liaison Officers and Project Engineers. Paired with this expansion comes an increased demand for additional support from environmental consultants, specialist vessel surveyors, engineering technical businesses and other suppliers. Demand for more team members and opportunity for more services will only increase. Building on Iberdrola’s experience elsewhere, the DP Energy-Iberdrola Joint Venture is also committed to supporting local supply chain and developing pathways to renewables in education.

To ensure there is a strong pipeline of enthusiastic people coming into the sector, we have joined forces with STEAM Education Ltd to launch a series of Green Energy and Climate Action Education Programmes to inspire the next wave of climate scientists, engineers, artists and active citizens.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths and has a mission to inspire children to love STEAM subjects. The Green Energy & Climate Action Education Programmes engage 4th to 6th class students in approximately 20 local schools around the coast with a goal of supporting children to understand the key issues about the climate crisis and to engage in positive climate action in their schools, homes and wider communities. It is, after all, their future.

DP Energy is also focused on working with local Cork environmental groups since the better world goal means climate change and biodiversity must be tackled together. Inis Ealga recently announced sponsorship for the Clean Coasts Ballynamona project providing funding for the purchase of a boat and equipment to assist with the protection of waterways, coastline, seas and marine life and facilitate a range of science backed education programmes promoting biodiversity.

DP Energy’s vision of a world fully powered by renewable energy which protects its environment and biodiversity is achievable and the company plans to lead from the front to make this a reality in Cork, in Ireland and worldwide.

Featured in the Irish Examiner:

DP Energy HP feature

Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park announces sponsorship with Clean Coasts Ballynamona to help protect Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life.

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy, and global energy leader Iberdrola have announced a sponsorship deal with the Cork-based ‘Clean Coasts Ballynamona’ under their Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park joint venture project, which is located off the south coast of Ireland. 

The partnership will provide funding for the purchase of a boat and a range of equipment to assist with the protection of waterways, coastline, seas and marine life off the south coast, further demonstrating DP Energy and Iberdrola’s commitment to supporting conservation and the restoration of biodiversity in coastal waters. The funding will also be used to facilitate a range of science-backed education programmes to promote biodiversity. 

The multi-award-winning Clean Coasts Ballynamona manages almost 80kms (or 3%) of the total Irish coastline for marine litter and manages 34 acres of coastal habitats for biodiversity. Part of the Sea and Land Trust, the organisation has more than 300 volunteers and organises many coastal clean-ups every year, removing tonnes of marine litter, and engages with schools and businesses in Environmental Education. 

DP Energy entered into a Joint Venture with Iberdrola in February 2021 for a 3GW pipeline of offshore wind projects. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers, Iberdrola has substantial experience in offshore wind development and, importantly, shares DP Energy’s commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach to development.  

Located off the coasts of Cork and Waterford, the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a 1,000 MW (1GW) floating offshore wind project. The project is in its early development stage, with ecology and site investigation surveys underway. Once operational, it is estimated that Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park could produce enough clean renewable energy to supply up to 1 million homes annually. The project is programmed to be operational by 2030 and will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. 

Commenting on the sponsorship milestone, Yvonne Cronin, DP Energy’s Community and Stakeholder Liaison Manager, said: “We are really proud to be involved with Clean Coasts Ballynamona and the inspiring work they are undertaking along the Cork coastline. The purchase of this equipment will increase the effectiveness of the initiative by facilitating access to currently inaccessible areas that are harboring vast quantities of marine litter. The partnership also underlines the commitment that Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park, through DP Energy and Iberdrola, has for an ethical and sustainable approach to offshore wind development.” 

Declan McMahon, Iberdrola’s Offshore Development Senior Project Manager, said: “Clean Coasts Ballynamona and their hundreds of volunteers really make a positive contribution to the local community.  It is challenging work cleaning and maintaining part of the Irish coastline and we hope that this agreement will help to make some of those tasks a little easier to manage. We are very proud to support such important work.” 

Proinsias Ó Tuama, Founder of Clean Coasts Ballynamona, said: “We’re delighted to have the team behind Inis Ealga Marine Park with us on this initiative. This equipment and boat will allow the impact and reach of our work and actions to be greatly enhanced, whether for access to inaccessible coastal areas or to support much-needed citizen science programmes. This equipment will be a multiplier of our capabilities and assist us in tackling and solving the issues affecting our coast locally and nationally. We hope that the learning outcomes of this solution focused project will help other coastal communities around Ireland.” 

Gwynt Glas and South Wales ports combine strength in preparation for multi-billion floating wind industry

Gwynt Glas Offshore Wind Farm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports, and Wales’ largest energy port, the Port of Milford Haven, to ready the ports for the future needs of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.

Gwynt Glas is a joint venture partnership between EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy. The proposed floating offshore wind farm would generate 1GW of low carbon green energy in the Celtic Sea.

Under the MoU, information and industry knowledge will be shared to investigate the potential  opportunities for manufacture, assembly, load-out and servicing for the Gwynt Glas project from the key South Wales Ports of Port Talbot and Milford Haven. This collaborative approach demonstrates a major commitment to supporting economic growth, investment and maximising social value in the region.

Claire Gilchrist, EDF Renewables’ Offshore Development Manager said:

“This MoU is an excellent opportunity for our industries to learn from one another as we develop our plans for Gwynt Glas. We need to understand the current level and type of infrastructure that is available at the ports to accurately reflect the opportunities and challenges to be faced, to enable the successful delivery of floating offshore wind at scale.”

Andrew Harston, ABP Regional Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, said:

“ABP’s port facilities at Port Talbot are at the heart of realising Wales’ ambitious vision for Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea and the new manufacturing industry that this will deliver for Wales.

We are delighted to be working with EDF Renewables UK, DP Energy and the Port of Milford Haven on the Gwynt Glas project, which is such a vital part of the UK’s progress to net zero.”

Steven Edwards, the Port of Milford Haven’s Commercial Director added:

“We are very proud to be working with EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy to support the Gwynt Glas proposal for low carbon energy. We are embracing opportunities for the benefit of the Pembrokeshire economy, and the goal to achieve net zero.

Working collaboratively is crucial to supporting these ambitions in Wales, and the Milford Haven Waterway has the opportunity to play a pivotal role in this.”

Chris Williams, DP Energy’s Head of Development UK said:

“As Wales transitions to net zero, we are committed to working with local industry and keen to maximise local benefits. Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only generate renewable energy, support our energy security but also protect jobs and create new ones.

These MoU’s with the Port of Milford Haven and ABP Port Talbot demonstrate our intention to focus on a local supply chain and support long-term skilled local jobs in coastal regions.”

Gwynt Glas will provide power for approximately 927,400 homes* and make a significant contribution to The Crown Estate’s ambitions for 4GW of capacity in the Celtic Sea.

 

Industry-led Renewables College Programme Scoops National Offshore Wind Award

A unique programme called ‘Destination Renewables’, preparing students for the renewables’ jobs market, has scooped a national ‘Offshore Wind Energy Skills Award’ for the Gwynt Glas floating wind project team, the driving force behind this new initiative. At the inaugural Renewables UK Offshore Wind Awards on 25th October in London, Destination Renewables was praised by the RUK judges as the kind of initiative which helps to lay the foundations for the industries future workforce.

As part of their commitment to developing and recruiting local talent, EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy, the winning partnership behind the Gwynt Glas project in the Celtic Sea, joined forces with Pembrokeshire College to launch Destination Renewables, a two-year programme for students aged 16-18.

Claire Gilchrist, Gwynt Glas Project Manager, EDF Renewables UK said:
“I was honoured to pick up the award with Hayley Williams from Pembrokeshire College on behalf of the project team, and of course all of the industry partners involved, without their support, this programme would not be possible.”

In the same week, Gwynt Glas was also a finalist in the Wales STEM Awards ceremony held in Cardiff. The Wales STEM Awards shines a spotlight on businesses creating an impact on the Welsh economy, those addressing the STEM diversity gap and skills shortage, and those inspiring and raising aspirations of the next generation.

Destination Renewables is underpinned by the Skills and Talent programme of the Swansea Bay City Deal, jointly funded by the Welsh and UK Governments, alongside private sector investment.

Commenting on the awards, Jane Lewis, Regional Partnership Manager for the Regional Skills and Learning Partnership said:

 “This is fantastic news, the support from DP Energy and EDF Renewables into this programme will enable so many young people from Pembrokeshire to start their journey into a career pathway in the industries of the future.  We look forward to working with DP Energy and EDF Renewables on other projects in our region!”

Dr Barry Walters, Principal at Pembrokeshire College said:

“Pembrokeshire College is delighted to be part of the award winning Destination Renewables partnership and the unique curriculum delivery model supported by EDF Renewables and DP Energy. Destination Renewables provides valuable opportunities for our learners to meet with industry experts and we are very grateful to all the employers who deliver on this nationally recognised programme.”

In addition to the lead partners, the young adults will learn from a range of renewable sector leaders; Milford Haven Port Authority, Marine Energy Wales, Regen, MEECE, The Crown Estate, Celtic Sea Power, Swansea University, Energy Kingdom, Mainstay Marine, Bombora, Marine Space, Eversheds Sutherland, Insite Technical Services, Williams Shipping, Marine Power Systems, 3DW and Cadno Communications, Pembroke Port, Pembrokeshire County Council, DST Innovation. This collaboration with industry will help to bridge the skills gap and showcase the diverse range of careers within the sector, all the while supporting net zero targets and maximising regional benefits.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum will support the renewables industry in the delivery of this private sector and education partnership to manage high-quality industry content standards and ensure a positive learner journey.

Forty future engineers enrol in industry led programme heading for Destination Renewables

Destination Renewables, a new pioneering programme preparing students for the future renewables’ jobs market launched this week at Pembrokeshire College with forty students signed up. EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy have signed an MoU with Pembrokeshire College to design and deliver the two year course which will transfer real-world sector knowledge and inform career journeys for 16-18 year olds.

Rt. Hon Stephen Crabb MP, Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire said:

“Without a doubt it is an exciting time for the energy sector on the Haven. There is a clear vision emerging for a low carbon future that includes both new projects such as floating offshore wind and hydrogen.  With its energy-rich heritage, and strategic national importance, Pembrokeshire is well-placed to be at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon future.

It has the potential to bring benefits nationally and locally through the creation of high skilled green jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for the people of Pembrokeshire. I am delighted to see industry partners joining with Pembrokeshire College to deliver a renewable energy programme which will help to drive this agenda forward.”

Simon De Pietro, DP Energy’s CEO said about the MoU agreement:

“We are delighted to have partnered with Pembrokeshire College and EDF Renewables to launch this innovative programme to inspire and educate the future green energy workforce.”

In addition to the lead partners, the young adults will learn from a range of renewable sector leaders; Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Milford Haven Port Authority, Marine Energy Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council, Regen, ORE Catapult MEECE, Celtic Sea Power, Swansea University, Energy Kingdom, Mainstay Marine, Marine Space, Bombora, Insite, Williams Shipping, Marine Power Systems, TYF, 3DW and Cadno Communications. This collaboration with industry will help to bridge the skills gap and showcase the diverse range of careers within the sector, all the while supporting net zero targets and maximising regional benefits.

Ryanne Burges EDF Renewables’ Offshore Director said:

“The case for greater renewables capacity has never been stronger, creating an equally increased need for skilled workers in our sector. At EDF Renewables UK and Ireland we put significant efforts in to creating accessible opportunities for the local workforce to support delivery of our projects and ensure that local communities are able to experience all of the benefits of such significant infrastructure projects being developed off their coastlines. We are really proud to be delivering this programme and believe that Destination Renewables is one way in which young people can access these future career opportunities.”

Joshua Thomas, L3 Mechanical Engineering at Pembrokeshire College enrolled onto Destination Renewables said:

“I have signed up to Destination Renewables as I am concerned about climate change. I would love to work in the renewable energy sector following my studies. I hope that this course will help me stand out. I am most looking forward to meeting businesses, learning how they got to where they are now and finding out what I need to do to get there too.”

With an increasing focus on tackling climate change and securing energy supplies, there is an urgent need for renewable technologies to be developed.  EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy are jointly developing the up to 1GW Gwynt Glas Floating Offshore Wind Farm in the Celtic Sea and recognise that a skilled workforce is a prerequisite to rolling out these technologies quickly.

Destination Renewables is underpinned by the Skills and Talent programme of the Swansea Bay City Deal, jointly funded by the Welsh and UK Governments, alongside private sector investment. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum will support the renewables industry in the delivery of this private sector and education partnership to manage high-quality industry content standards and ensure a positive learner journey. 

Notes to editors:

Destination Renewables is a two-year Extended Project Qualification. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a level 3 (A-level standard) qualification offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC – graded like an AS level it can provide additional UCAS points. It provides opportunities for learners to expand their knowledge, work independently and acquire new skills through a variety of activities which may include: guest speakers, workplace visits and practical experiences. The first cohort of 40 students begin their studies in September 2022.

In September, the pilot programme will be rolled out to Diploma Level 3 Engineering students, and a further opportunity for Business, IT and Construction learners to participate in sessions.  Following on from the first year pilot, DP Energy and EDF hope that the college can offer the course to a wider cohort of students to attract skills and talent from all disciplines into the diverse career pathways offered by the sector.

Staff from DP Energy and EDF Renewables UK will have a hands-on role in delivering the learning programme alongside other delivery partners, as well as providing mentoring opportunities to students in the second year of the course programme.

About EDF Renewables:

EDF Renewables UK and Ireland (www.edf-re.uk) is a subsidiary of EDF Group, one of the world’s largest low carbon electricity companies, and our investment and innovation is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits for communities.

With our operating portfolio of 38 renewable energy sites including battery, onshore and offshore wind (together totalling 1 GW) we are providing much needed affordable, low carbon electricity. We have an expanding portfolio with almost 5 GW of projects in planning and development, including wind, hydrogen, battery and solar PV.

About DP Energy:

DP Energy has a long history of renewable project development and is a global developer of wind, solar and ocean energy projects across the UK, Ireland, Australia and North America.

To date DP Energy has consented over 1GW of projects across a multitude of jurisdictions and across multiple sites with the majority already built and operational.  DP Energy currently has over 2GW of onshore wind under development and is jointly developing over 4GW of offshore wind with its JV partners.

Whilst headquartered in Ireland, DP Energy has operated extensively in the UK since the 1990s and early 2000s to deliver large scale onshore wind projects principally across Scotland, including Hadyard Hill wind farm which at 130MW was one of the largest projects of its day.

As part of its overall expansion plans DP Energy has now opened a UK South Wales office staffed by an experienced development team. In addition to delivering the Gwynt Glas Offshore Wind farm, DP Energy will be developing a portfolio of 100% sustainable energy projects in the UK across the renewable technology range.

www.dpenergy.com

Pembrokeshire College

Pembrokeshire College is a dynamic and high quality provider of further, higher and work-based education and training with nearly 2,000 full-time and 13,000 part-time learners and apprentices. The College employs over 500 talented and dedicated staff who are well-qualified, supportive and who care passionately about their students.

Pembrokeshire College offers a comprehensive academic and vocational offer, covering all curriculum areas, including the priority sectors of Health and Care, Engineering, Construction, Food and Farming, Life Science, Information Communication & Technology, Finance, Tourism, Hospitality, Catering and Creative Arts.

www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk

Further information:

[email protected] Welsh External Affairs Manager, EDF Renewables, 0131 377 0045

[email protected]energy.com Stakeholder and Communications Manager, DP Energy, 07890 636898

[email protected] – Curriculum Development Manager, Pembrokeshire College,07971 123464

 

DP Energy to undertake Geophysical Survey for the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park

DP Energy, one of Ireland’s leading developers of renewable energy projects, is planning to carry out a geophysical survey beyond the 12 nautical mile limit at their proposed Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park off the coasts of Cork and Waterford.

The survey, which will cover approximately 900 Km2, will begin on 8th September and will take place for a period of five days. The work will be undertaken by Hydrographic Surveys of Crosshaven onboard the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel, ILV Granuaile, a multifunctional ship which is equipped to operate in difficult sea conditions.

The Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park is a 1,000 MW (1GW) offshore wind project which will use floating platform technology anchored to the seabed. Once operational, the proposed wind farm will generate enough clean renewable energy to power the equivalent of nearly one million homes. Delivery of this scheme, planned to be operational by 2030, will significantly contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan target of 7 Gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and the longer-term target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

To develop the Inis Ealga Marine Energy Park project, DP Energy has partnered with global energy leader Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers. Iberdrola has substantial experience in offshore wind development and, importantly, shares DP Energy’s commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach to development.

The upcoming survey of the Inis Ealga Marine Park location will provide valuable information on the make-up of the seabed and this will be used to inform the project design, siting of turbines and construction methods for the proposed park. The results will also assist in the preparation of specifications for additional future geophysical and geotechnical surveys.

Adam Cronin, Head of Offshore at DP Energy, outlines the processes that will be used:

“The equipment we are planning to use includes a hull mounted multibeam sonar and sub bottom profiler. This survey will provide information about the seabed make-up at various depths. We will be able to image the sediment and rock layers beneath the surface of the seabed giving us crucial information on sediment layers for design. The data obtained from the surveys will be utilised in the design of the project and the design will be in the public domain as part of the Development Consenting process.”

 Commenting on the announcement Dave Ward, Commercial Manager at Commissioner of Irish Lights said: “Granuaile is a key asset of Irish Lights in delivery of its navigation safety service around the coast of Ireland. Irish Lights can provide a range of services, statutory and commercial to support local partners in the transition to offshore renewable energy. We are pleased to support DP Energy to enable and harness Irish natural resources in offshore wind, in order to drive the establishment of an indigenous Irish supply chain while underpinning marine based employment.”

 Headquartered in Buttevant in North Cork and operating across the world, DP Energy is committed to using the most sustainable and environmentally responsible methods in all of their energy developments. Currently, DP Energy has a 5,000+ megawatt (MW) portfolio of wind, ocean and solar energy projects in development stages across Ireland, Australia, the UK and Canada.

In addition to the Inis Ealga project, DP Energy, in conjunction with Iberdrola, has also submitted Foreshore Licence applications for Clarus Offshore Wind Farm, off the coasts of Clare and Kerry (floating) and Shelmalere Offshore Wind Farm, off the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford (fixed).

 

www.inisealgamarineenergypark.com
www.dpenergy.com
Twitter: @energydp | @Iberdrola_En
LinkedIn: DP Energy Group | Iberdrola Renewables

DP Energy Australia goes offshore for wind

International renewable energy developer DP Energy will leverage its global expertise to pursue offshore wind development in Australia following greater government focus on the technology, backed by more supportive policy settings.

Australian Federal and State governments have embraced offshore wind potential as a mechanism to increase the contribution of renewable energy and meet emissions reduction targets. The Federal Government recently announced six regions across Australia with the potential for offshore wind projects, with Gippsland in Victoria the most advanced.

State governments have committed to ambitious renewable energy and emissions reduction targets with offshore wind energy increasingly viewed as a critical component to meet these goals. The Victorian government is aiming to generate approximately 20 per cent (2GW) of its energy needs from offshore wind by 2032, 4GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035 and 9GW by 2040.

Established almost 30 years ago, DP Energy has developed over 1GW of renewable energy projects across Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK with three quarters of these projects already built and operational. It also has an immediate pipeline of a further 750MW due to enter construction in 2023 and an extended pipeline of some 6GW beyond that. These projects variously incorporate both on and offshore wind, solar and ocean energy technologies. DP Energy’s lead Australian projects include the 320MW Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia, and the 430 MW Callide Wind Farm in Queensland.

In the offshore wind space DP Energy is already pursuing a number of projects across Europe and Canada and has partnered with Iberdrola to deliver 3GW of offshore wind in Ireland, and EDF Renewables for 1GW of offshore wind in the UK Celtic Sea. Australia will be its first venture into offshore wind in the southern hemisphere.

DP Energy Australia Director and Country Manager Catherine Way said DP Energy had been looking at offshore potential in Australia for a number of years and had previously identified development opportunities within the Federal Government’s recent declaration of areas for offshore wind projects. “We will draw on our long international experience in developing renewables projects, and more recently in offshore wind energy to develop Australian projects, which could include fixed and floating platforms depending on water depths,” Ms Way said.

“the increased focus from Federal and State governments on offshore wind energy is encouraging and the potential for a large island country such as Australia is significant. However, Australia is playing catch up with the rest of the world, particularly Europe, where this technology is more progressed and already a considerable contributor to the region’s renewable energy mix.

“As we bridge this gap with the rest of the world there is going to be significant investment in offshore wind energy in Australia, which will deliver jobs, growth and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for the country’s energy security. At DP Energy, we are currently exploring opportunities, either as our own stand-alone projects or in partnership with other operators, as we have done successfully in Australia and overseas for many years.”

See attached map for DP Energy’s offshore wind sites. The map outlines the first five proposed areas in which DP Energy has begun development and feasibility works in the hope of progressing to a feasibility and then commercial licence. These areas are off the coast of Warrnambool in Western Victoria, Wonthaggi and Port Albert in the Gippsland Region, and Wollongong and Newcastle areas in NSW.

Australia Offshore Wind Potential Project Areas

The Crown Estate identifies Gwynt Glas Area of Search within its Plans to Deliver 4GW of Celtic Sea FLOW

Gwynt Glas, a DP Energy and EDF Renewables UK joint venture, welcomes the announcement from The Crown Estate identifying five Areas of Search in the Celtic Sea from which 4 GW of floating wind project development sites will be competitively tendered in mid-2023. The announcement confirms that virtually all of the broad Gwynt Glas’  Area of Search is included in The Crown Estate’s seabed leasing plans for the Celtic Sea.

 

Gwynt Glas could provide power for approximately 927,400 homes* and contribute a significant part of the Crown Estate’s ambitions for 4GW of capacity in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate has commissioned research that indicates that there is significantly more capacity to come in the future, positioning the UK Celtic Sea as a leading global FLOW market.

 

Nancy McLean, Gwynt Glas Project Director said “We welcome this announcement. It sends a clear signal to the supply chain and investors that the development of FLOW in the Celtic Sea is progressing at pace and significant scale. Clarity on The Crown Estate’s leasing programme is crucial to meeting net zero targets and maximising the economic and social benefits of this new green industry for the South Wales and South West England regions. We look forward to consulting further with The Crown Estate as they refine Areas of Search into smaller final Project Development Areas, within which proposed windfarms like Gwynt Glas could be sited.“

 

Gwynt Glas has been conducting remote aerial surveys for marine mammal and birds since Spring 2021 and has started early-stage consultation with commercial fisheries, and shipping and navigation stakeholders. Following wider stakeholder consultation the floating offshore wind farm site will be refined and finalised to a much smaller area prior to submitting an Application for Lease in 2023.

 * Load factors based on the five year rolling averages on unchanged configuration basis using Table 6.5 of ‘Digest of UK Energy Statistics’ – latest figures as per July 2019 release. Based upon the average domestic electricity consumption per home (temperature corrected) per the Energy Consumption in the UK (published July 2019, Table C9 of ECUK: Consumption data tables).