SBM Offshore appoints Kilkeel-based fisheries liaison company for North Channel Wind farm

SBM Offshore has appointed Kilkeel-based co-operative SeaSource Offshore as the official fisheries liaison for its North Channel Wind energy project.

SeaSource Offshore which is owned by local fishermen will take on a liaison role and act as the primary point of contact between local fishing communities and other marine-based operations and representatives from SBM Offshore as the North Channel Wind project progresses.

Announced in February this year, the proposed plans will see two offshore floating wind farms off the County Antrim coastline

with total installed capacity in the region of 400MW.

The project involves the installation of 20 to 30 wind turbines which will potentially generate enough electricity to power over 500,000 homes here throughout the next decade and potentially create hundreds of jobs in the process.

As the project progresses, the North Channel Wind team will undertake a number of scoping exercises to assess the impact on

marine life, underwater species, and commercial fisheries currently operating in the area.

SeaSource Offshore will use its extensive experience and knowledge of the North Channel to maintain strong lines of communication between local industry and North Channel Wind, something project director, Niamh Kenny, says is central to the development.

“As the North Channel Wind project develops, it’s important for us to work with the local community and establish clear lines

of communication with all stakeholders, updating them on the status and any potential impacts of the project,” explained Ms Kenny who is also chair of Renewables NI Offshore Wind Working Group.

“Our message to the local community is very much that we want to work alongside you to deliver the benefits offshore energy

production can bring and create significant supply chain opportunities. Our partnership with SeaSource Offshore and its local knowledge and existing relationships is a winning combination and we are very much looking forward to working with the team.”

Davey Hill, head of business development at SeaSource Offshore, says the liaison role is an exciting opportunity.

"Part of our focus at SeaSource Offshore is to maximise opportunities for local fishermen and build collaboration between new industries such as renewables and the more traditional trades which have been fishing and operating in these waters for centuries,” continued Mr Hill.

“We welcome North Channel Wind’s sensitive approach to this project as well as its clear commitment to working closely with

the local fishing community. We are confident that as the project develops and construction work gets underway, we can maintain a strong working relationship and use our intel and technology to create positive outcomes for everyone involved.”

While plans for the project have been met with a positive reaction in initial consultations with political representatives, North Channel Wind will be meeting other key stakeholders including community organisations, local interest groups and marine users to collect further feedback and optimise plans.

Niamh Kenny will open the Renewables NI Clean Revolution: Building Northern Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industry event today (Tuesday, September 6) in the Belfast office of A&L Goodbody.