Business

Simply Blue lines up offshore wind project for Co Down coast

The Olympic Offshore Wind scheme would be developed off the Co Down coast.
The Olympic Offshore Wind scheme would be developed off the Co Down coast. The Olympic Offshore Wind scheme would be developed off the Co Down coast.

CORK-based energy company Simply Blue has announced its second offshore wind project in the north.

Just two months after unveiling the Nomadic Offshore Wind project off the north coast, the company said it will develop the Olympic Offshore Wind scheme off the Co Down coast.

Simply Blue, which specialises in floating offshore wind, wave energy and low impact aquaculture, said it will be capable of producing up to 1.3GW in power.

The project is currently in the planning stage.

In March the Cork-based group announced a 500MW offshore project in partnership with Newry’s MJM Renewables, which has a hub at Ballykelly.

Sam McCloskey from Simply Blue said: “We are delighted to add another offshore wind project to our Northern Ireland portfolio, as we believe the offshore environment off the coast of Northern Ireland offers huge potential to blue economy developers such as ourselves.”

Steven Agnew, head of Renewable NI, added: “Offshore wind will play a crucial role in helping Northern Ireland to achieve a zero-carbon electricity system.

"RenewableNI is excited by the scale of the opportunity the Olympic project represents, adding to a growing portfolio of offshore developments that will bring jobs and investment as well as deliver low-cost electricity and increased energy security.

"It is vital that government matches the ambition of the Simply Blue Group and puts in place the consenting regime needed to deliver a thriving offshore renewables industry.”