Public invited to view additional information for Arklow Bank Wind Park 2

– SSE submits additional information to An Coimisiún Pleanála –

Members of the public are being invited to view additional information on the offshore planning consent application for SSE’s flagship Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 project.

Arklow Bank 2 is a proposed 800MW offshore wind project being developed in the Irish Sea off the coasts of Wicklow and North Wexford.

A planning application for the project’s offshore wind farm infrastructure was submitted by Sure Partners Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSE, to An Coimisiún Pleanála in June 2024 and is currently being assessed by the planning body.

In April 2025 the planning body issued a Request for Further Information (RFI), inviting SSE to consider stakeholder feedback and observations on the proposed development.

SSE has now responded to that request, submitting significant additional information that comprises an updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) and updated Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and includes design changes to the offshore wind farm.

The design changes proposed include a reduction in the number of offshore wind turbines installed at Arklow Bank from 56 to 53 as well as infrastructure layout refinements.

Updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement

The updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) and updated Natura Impact Statement (NIS) contain additional site-specific data and peer-reviewed environmental research informed by extensive further aerial, marine and geotechnical surveys.

The additional evidence-based research, technical modelling and assessments included in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report show the effects of the proposed development on coastal erosion and on seabird populations is not significant in EIA terms.

The submission including updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and updated Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is available to view and download, along with additional documentation, at a dedicated website, www.arklowbank2offshoreplanning.ie.

Observations from the public can be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála during an eight-week period commencing 3 June 2026 until 29 July 2026.

James O’Hara, Head of Offshore Wind in Ireland at SSE Renewables, said:

“Arklow Bank 2 is one of the most advanced offshore wind projects in Ireland, and this submission of additional information to An Coimisiún Pleanála marks another important step forward for the project. The additional information we’ve now provided reflects detailed work we’ve undertaken over the past year in response to stakeholder feedback and observations on the proposed development. As a result of this work, we are now proposing infrastructure layout refinements as well as a reduction in the number of offshore wind turbines to be installed at Arklow Bank. We believe these measures will enhance the proposed development and ensure the project can be delivered sensitively.

“Subject to securing its remaining offshore consent and being approved for delivery, Arklow Bank 2 has the potential to play a critical role in delivering Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions – supporting jobs, local investment and the transition to a more secure, cleaner and affordable energy system for the years ahead.”

The Maritime Area Planning Application before An Coimisiún Pleanála for the offshore infrastructure is the third and remaining planning consent required for Arklow Bank 2.

The project has already secured planning consent for a state-of-the-art operations and maintenance base at Arklow Harbour’s South Dock, out of which around 80 full-time employees would be based.

Separate consent has also been secured for onshore cabling and a substation that would connect the offshore wind project to Ireland’s national electricity grid.

Final delivery of Arklow Bank 2 will be subject to the project securing its remaining planning consent, finalising details of a commercial route to market, and a final investment decision by SSE.

National and local economic benefit

Subject to approval for delivery, construction of Arklow Bank 2 could commence towards the end of the decade and begin exporting offshore wind energy to Ireland’s national grid by the early 2030s.

When fully operational, Arklow Bank 2 would play a crucial role in driving progress towards a cleaner, more affordable and more secure homegrown energy system for Ireland.

Additionally, Arklow Bank 2 would be expected to deliver an overall national economic benefit of up to €800m – around €400m of which would be local to the Wicklow and Wexford region – while supporting around 2,300 direct and indirect jobs throughout its delivery and operational lifetime^{^}.

How to view additional information

The significant additional information including the updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and the updated Natura Impact Statement (NIS) can be viewed online at dedicated website, www.arklowbank2offshoreplanning.ie. Additionally, copies of the application and all supporting documents can also be viewed for the eight-week period from 3 June 2026 until 29 July 2026 at the following office locations:

• The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902
• The Offices of Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow Town, A67 FW96
• The Offices of Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93

Submissions or observations in relation to the additional information may be made only to An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 in writing or online at www.pleanala.ie during the eight-week period from 3 June 2026 until 29 July 2026.

_{^{^} Based on socio-economic research compiled by BiGGAR Economics and included within the Environmental Impact Assessment Report submitted to An Bord Pleanála as part of the project consent application submitted in June 2024. See www.arklowbank2offshoreplanning.ie for more.}