There is \u201can increasing risk\u201d of danger to local shipping if Ireland\u2019s only offshore windfarm is left in its current condition, its operators have warned, as it seeks to dismantle the two-decade-old turbines. <\/p>\n
Phase 1 of the Arklow Bank windfarm opened in 2005. Its operators are now seeking planning permission to dismantle the site and remove the degrading components still in place. <\/p>\n
The overarching priority for the operators is that \u201cit does not cause harm to people, vessels or marine life\u201d, Arklow Energy said.<\/p>\n
The seven-turbine project ceased generating electricity for the grid two years ago due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n
Annual accounts lodged with the Companies Office by windfarm operator Arklow Energy Ltd (AEL) for the years from 2004 to 2024 show that the project \u2013 located 10km off the Co Wicklow<\/a> coast \u2013 generated cumulative revenues of \u20ac133 million across its operational life.<\/p>\n A planning report with the decommissioning application lodged with An Coimisi\u00fan Plean\u00e1la (ACP)<\/a> states that during its operational period, the Arklow Bank wind farm generated 1.29GWh of renewable energy, or the equivalent of enough electricity to power about 850,000 households.<\/p>\n In a cover letter lodged with the application, director Jerry Barnes at planning consultants MacCabe Durney Barnes, for the applicants, said AEL\u2019s \u201coverarching priority is to ensure that Arklow Bank Wind-farm Project Phase I does not cause harm to people, vessels or marine life\u201d.<\/p>\n