North Channel Wind to begin environmental monitoring for offshore wind project off Antrim Coast

North Channel Wind, the 400MW floating offshore windfarm proposed for installation off the coast of east Antrim, has commissioned independent environmental consultancy APEM Ltd to undertake a two-year baseline study of the coastal area involved.

The move signals the sense of urgency now surrounding the need for energy supply security and stability in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The digital aerial survey will be carried out over 24 consecutive months to gather density, abundance and behaviour data on seabirds and marine mammals in and around the proposed North Channel Wind site.

The ultra-high resolution data obtained will support baseline environmental characterisation of the site and environmental impact assessments for key ecological receptors.

The survey programme will commence this autumn to ensure that the first winter breeding season is captured.

SBM Offshore, the European energy company is developing the North Channel Wind project under a development agreement with Cork-based NMK Renewables.

NMK Renewables managing director Niamh Kenny, said: “We are in a position to build energy supply resilience within a matter of a few years given a fair wind.

“As stability in energy supply to the western most regions of Europe comes into sharper focus, the emphasis on developing increasingly reliable and utilities-scale renewable energy generation at sea is now being felt more than ever.

"Given the right administrative conditions including lease agreements, successful environmental impact assessments, consent and support from local communities and political representatives, we could be in position to start supplying very significant volumes of clean energy within four years.”

Stephanie Barnicoat, senior consultant at APEM , explained: “APEM is delighted to be able to support North Channel Wind’s proposed floating offshore wind projects with our best-in-class survey design approach.

“Imagery captured using state-of-the-art cameras is of ultra-high (1.6cm) resolution, providing industry leading image quality that is essential for species level identification.”

A recent report by BVG Associates outlined that 1.5GW of offshore wind development in Northern Ireland could result in inward investment in the region of £1.9billion, offsetting millions of tonnes of CO2 and produce enough electricity to power 1.6million homes or 2.4million electric vehicles.

Offshore wind in Northern Ireland is set to make up an important part of the energy mix enabling Northern Ireland to reach its target of 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

North Channel Wind’s new floating technologies are particularly well suited to the Irish Sea for their significantly reduced environmental impact during installation and operation when compared to conventional turbines whose foundations are on the seabed.

Representatives from North Channel Wind will be meeting with key stakeholders including the fishing community, local interest groups and other marine users over the coming months to gauge reactions, optimise the project and to build partnerships which will benefit the wider Northern Ireland community for many years to come.

The project would create significant local supply chain opportunities including the assembly of the required steel floating devices, logistics, assembly, marine services and construction.