Rosslare Europort - Offshore Renewable Energy Hub
Project Overview
Rosslare Europort, supported by Port Authority, Iarnród Éireann, is embarking on a journey to become the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) hub for Ireland’s South-East. The hub will service the emerging offshore wind industry and help support the government’s offshore wind target of seven gigawatts of power from ORE by 2030.
While Rosslare Europort is ideally located to service the Offshore Wind (OSW) sector, particularly for developments in the Irish and Celtic seas, significant infrastructure works are required to ensure suitable port facilities are in place to support the construction and ongoing operations of Rosslare Europort as an ORE hub.
The Rosslare ORE Hub Project can deliver the accessibility and key infrastructure required to serve the various stages of the OFW projects including marshalling, assembly, staging and load out of key components as well as the ongoing operation, maintenance, and crew transfers that will take place when the industry is up and running.
The Proposed Development Site
The proposed site is situated at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford and is adjacent to the existing Rosslare Europort which is operated by Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail.
Having investigated multiple locations for the ORE hub at Rosslare Europort, through a multi criteria analysis (MCA) process the current location has emerged as the preferred option. See below images showing the considered options for the Rosslare ORE Hub:
Key project elements
The key infrastructural elements of the project include:
- Land reclamation of circa 21 hectares from the sea
- A heavy lift berth of up to 330 metres long will be created to accommodate ORE installation vessels.
- A second 240-metre-long berth capable of handling Roll on Roll (RoRo) activities and heavy Load On Load Off (LoLo) of foundation and wind turbine components
- Dredging of the approach channel to an effective depth of -10m Chart Datum
- Construction of a main berth pocket for marshalling and installation vessels with dredged depth of -12m Chart Datum
- A small boat harbour with enhanced access from deeper water
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M) facilities to include warehousing, offices and parking
- Potential future accommodation of a rail spur connection to site
- New access road to small boat harbour and site access to the ORE facility
Please see the PDF version of above image 'Rosslare ORE Hub GA Plan'
Why Rosslare Europort?
Ireland represents one of the best ORE resources in Europe, with a sea area of 490,000sq kms. More than 25 ORE development projects are planned nationally, and Rosslare Europort is ideally positioned within 60 nautical miles of several of the planned developments in the Irish and Celtic seas
Please see the PDF version of above image 'ORE Projects Nearby'
Benefits of the Rosslare ORE Hub Project
The proposed plans for the ORE Hub at Rosslare Europort will:
- Support the growing offshore renewable industry
- Help Ireland deliver its Climate Action Plan objectives
- Ensure significant economic growth for the South-East region
Rosslare ORE Hub Public Consultation
Public participation is a key element to the delivery of major infrastructure projects, such as the Rosslare ORE Hub. Your opinions and feedback are important to us. There are three main opportunities for members of the public, residents, and businesses adjacent to the development, as well as other stakeholders, to provide feedback to the scheme development and Planning Process.
- Public consultation on Emerging Preferred Option – (Completed December 2023)
- Public consultation on Preferred Option – (22nd May 2024 to 23rd June 2024)
- Statutory public consultation as part of the An Bord Pleanála planning process (Autumn 2024*)
*Note: Date to be confirmed
Subject to planning being granted and funding being allocated construction is due to commence in 2025/26 and the project is expected to be completed in late 2027.
Next Steps
The next round of non-statutory public consultation will run from 22nd May to 23rd June. A public engagement event will be held at Rosslare Europort between 3pm and 8pm on the 30th May 2024. The project design team will be available to present their proposals for the design of the ORE Hub and answer any queries or concerns that members of the public, residents or other stakeholders may have.
Contact the Project Team
To submit feedback or request further information you can contact the Rosslare ORE Hub project team via the following means:
- Email: Rorehub@irishrail.ie
- Phone line: (053) 915 7970
- Postal Address: Rosslare Europort, Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford, Y35 PH4X
Rosslare ORE Hub FAQ's
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What measures will be taken to minimise disruption to fishing activities during the construction phase?
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What will the ORE hub at Rosslare Europort look like?
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What is the estimated timeline for different phases of construction?
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How will the project impact local traffic?
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What are the proposed working hours for construction activities?
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How will the project contribute to local economic growth and development?
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What opportunities will be available for local residents to find employment during the construction phase?
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Will the project include any upgrades to local infrastructure, such as roads or utilities?
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How will the construction impact the local marine ecosystem?
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How will potential environmental impacts be minimised?
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How will the project team keep us informed about construction progress and any potential disruptions?
Useful Material
Please see the Rosslare Europort Ireland’s ORE Hub Downloadable brochure