A renewable energy co-operative has urged Government to embrace the concept of floating offshore windfarms – with turbines that are 30-kilometres from the coastline.

Energy Co-Operatives Ireland Limited (ECI) said that by opting for floating turbines far out at sea, the Government can maintain its green energy targets with technology that was less obtrusive from the shore.

The Dublin-based environmental organisation said the Government should go with the FLOW, short for floating offshore wind projects, which it claimed was also less impactful on maritime environment.

The push for FLOW projects comes after the company behind the Sceirde Rocks Windfarm appeared last week to pull the plug on plans for massive turbines 5kms off the Carna coast – although Corio has yet to officially confirm it was not proceeding with the €1.4 billion plan.

ECI described Sceirde windfarm as “nearshore”, and its preference was for floating turbines that are farther out to sea, like in Scotland which has renewable energy projects floating over 20kms from the coast.

The company urged Environment Minister Darragh O’Brien to “open up to floating offshore wind” and to issue DMAPS for the West Coast of Ireland, which are long-awaited Designated Maritime Area Plans that dictate the direction of offshore renewable energy.

Dara Ó Maoildhia, from Árainn, said the community on the Aran Islands was frustrated with slow progress.

“We in Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann are frustrated at the slow pace of progress by the Government. We still do not have a DMAP for the West coast, and we cannot progress until we do,” he said.

“Also, we still do not have a full commitment from the Government for the development of Ros a’ Mhíl Harbour as an offshore wind hub. The future of the Aran Islands and the Mid-West coast of Ireland will be greatly influenced, for good or ill, by the Government’s action or inaction,” he added.

Caption: The proposed site for the Sceirde Rocks windfarm.

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