The company behind a proposed floating windfarm off the Clare coast says it’s committed to engaging with all stakeholder and communities at each stage of the project.
Simply Blue Group has opened a public consultation for the scoping report phase of the Western Star Floating Project, as Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports.
The Western Star Floating Wind project is a proposed floating windfarm which would be situated at least 35km off the West Coast of Clare, in waters 90 to 125 metres deep.
It’s being developed in response to Irish Government policy and commitment to deploy up to 7 gigawatts of offshore wind projects in Ireland by 2030.
Simply Blue, which is a blue economy developer headquartered in Cork, says the development will harness the wind potential off the Atlantic Ocean, potentially creating enough energy to power over 1 million homes.
The project hit a stumbling block last September, when multinational energy company Shell pulled out of the joint venture, but Simply Blue signaled it’s ongoing commitment at the time to the project.
An Environmental Impact Assessment scoping report is now available for virtual consultation, while public consultation events will take place at the Templegate Hotel in Ennis next Tuesday from 2 until 8pm, and at Merchant’s Quay Business Quarter in Kilrush on Wednesday at the same time.
Simply Blue says it’s committed to engaging with all stakeholders and communities at each stage of the project and is encouraging them to participate in the consultation of the scoping report.
Operations and Project Director at Simply Blue Group, Val Cummins says “The Western Star Floating Wind Project will be sustainable and transformative for the west coast and will enable local communities to benefit from the opportunities in the blue economy, leading to a brighter future for generations to come.
Further information on the project is available here.
