NISA

Current Stage

2019
Initial Consultation & Feasibility

Commenced initial consultation along with early-stage bird and mammal surveys.

2020
Advanced Concept Stage - Pod Concept
Location map of offshore wind turbines

Groups or ‘pods’ consisting of 10 to 12 turbines in each pod. This concept was adopted as a result of endeavours to move away from initial design iterations which consisted of significantly more turbines.

Current Stage
2021
Consultation & EIA Appointment
2021
Commerce Surveys

Consultation, foreshore investigations, develop a design proposal.

2021
Engagement with planning & local authorities
2022
Apply for Planning
2023
Planning Decision
2024
Commence Construction
2026
Commence Operation

Survey Effort Overview

With geophysical surveys due to commence shortly, NISA has reached a critical milestone in its development. The surveys planned will provide information which will allow the project to develop a detailed understanding of the sea bed conditions which will inform the design of the project. These surveys are due to start towards the end of May 2022 and will continue throughout June. For more information, please see Marine Notice No. 27 of 2022 through the button below.

Surveys will be subject to weather conditions and a vessel called the Mercator will use various technologies to analyse the sea-bed such as multibeam echosounders, side scan sonars, magnetometers and sub-bottom profiling. The data will be used to inform indicative turbine location and potential cable corridors. The NISA project was granted a Foreshore Licence earlier this year which allows it to gather information and undertake preliminary site investigations to understand the conditions.

Statkraft has engaged an extremely experienced survey contractor to carry out these surveys, particularly in terms of carrying out surveys whilst sharing this marine space with the existing fishing operations. Throughout the surveys, Statkraft will continue to engage all those interested in the local and surrounding communities in the area. This includes extensive engagement with local fishing groups in Howth, Clogherhead, Skerries, Balbriggan, and surrounding areas.

From the earliest stages of this project, Statkraft has been committed to developing a project which would deliver successful coexistence with fisheries and support a sustainable local fishing community. During these surveys it will continue to work proactively towards this goal and promote continued sustainable fishing in the area.

If anyone has any queries please get in touch through our Contact Page.