Operations begin on Dublin Array Wind Farm project

The Dublin Array Wind Farm project will start operations on February 9 and will continue until May 11, weather permitting. The project lies on the Kish and Bray banks roughly 10 km off Ireland’s east coast.

The works will consist of geophysical surveys to characterise the offshore array and export cable search data with the latter intended to provide route options to possible landfall options in the area of Shanganah Park and Poolbeg. Survey operations will be on a 24-hour basis in Area 3.

Four survey vessels

Fugro Mercator: geophysical operations in water depths >7m, Area 3. All vessels operating within this area are requested to maintain a distance of 1,000m minimum and to pass at a minimum speed.

Spectrum 1: geophysical operations in water depths <7m, Area 2 (February 10-March 17, 12-hr basis). All vessels operating within this area are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 500m and to pass at minimum speed.

Fugro Seeker: geophysical operations in the nearshore export route search area in water depths <7m, Area 1 (March 13-April 19, 12-hr basis). All vessels are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 500m and to pass at a minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.

Fastnet Pelican: deployment of survey equipment, all Areas (February 16-March 12). As the vessel will be required to hold station and conduct some short transect lines, ability to manoeuvre will be restricted. All vessels operating in the area are requested to maintain a minimum distance of  500m and to pass at a minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.