The Codling Wind Park project will be located 13-22 km off the coastline of County Wicklow, between Greystones and Wicklow Town, covering a total project area of approximately 125 km². With average wind speeds of 9.7 m/s at 130 m above sea level and shallow waters with depths ranging from 10 to 25 m, the location is well-suited for maximizing energy generation.
“This is one of the largest energy infrastructure investments ever seen in Ireland and a tremendously exciting one to work on,” disclosed Codling Wind Park’s Project Director Scott Sutherland on the company website.
The wind farm will have a maximum of 75 turbines, a notable decrease from the initially projected 100 turbines. This reduction has been made possible through advancements in wind turbine technology and an in-depth analysis of the wind farm site, which allows for the employment of more efficient turbine models.
The ambitious capacity is in line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan from 2019, which aims for Ireland to generate 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050. Reflecting this commitment, the Irish Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 5 GW of electricity from offshore wind by 2030. When operational, this wind farm will supply almost half (48%) of all households in Ireland and will help the country meet over 26% of its 2030 renewable energy targets. Moreover, it will have a significant environmental impact by preventing 1.7 million tons of carbon emissions each year.
The planning application for the project was submitted in September 2024. Provided the project receives all necessary permits and approvals, construction could begin in 2026 or 2027 and is estimated to take between two and three years. The construction and operation of the Codling Wind Park are expected to bring significant economic benefits, including the creation of more than 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 75 long-term jobs in subsequent operations and maintenance.
