Lerwick Port Authority signs MOU with Irish offshore wind developer ESB
ESB’s 500 MW wind farm has the potential to power around 350,000 households
Lerwick Port Authority has entered its first collaboration agreement aimed at providing support for the development and operation of a major floating offshore wind farm with ESB, the Irish energy company.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday, 20 September 2023 in Lerwick between the Authority and ESB. This agreement commits both organisations to work together to develop port solutions for delivering the offshore development and ongoing operations and maintenance activities for the 500 MW wind farm, east of Shetland.
The MoU signing with Sheila Duncan, Lerwick Port Authority Chief Finance Officer; Calum Grains, Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, Cian Desmond, ESB Project Director and Chris Maquire, ESB Senior Specialist Offshore Wind.
Calum Grains, Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, said: “The agreement is a significant step in our drive to be a major support centre for the offshore wind industry. It will provide the framework to deliver the requirements of ESB’s wind farm and develop our comprehensive facilities, building on our decades of oil & gas experience.
“Our involvement will underpin our advancing plans for an Ultra-Deep-Water Quay and additional laydown at the deep-water Dales Voe Base which will service the energy sector.”
Speaking about the partnership, Cian Desmond, ESB’s Project Director, said: “This MOU provides a unique opportunity for both ESB and the Authority to combine our expertise to help maximise the local social, economic and environmental benefits of this development. This agreement clearly demonstrates that both parties are committed to developing this floating offshore wind project together for the benefit of Shetland.”
Seabed development rights were awarded to ESB in 2022 by Crown Estate Scotland through the ScotWind leasing process. Currently in early-stage development, the project is in a 100km² area identified in the Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind. It is approximately 40km off Shetland, in water depths between 100m and 130m.
It is estimated the farm will produce up to 500MW of clean electricity, enough energy to power 350,000 Scottish households. ESB is currently asking primary school children in Shetland to suggest a name for the farm. With a top prize of £1,250 in vouchers for local businesses, entries can be submitted at www.esb.ie/shetland
Founded in 1927, ESB is a leading Irish utility with a commitment to deliver Net Zero by 2040. Lerwick Port Authority operates the country’s most northerly commercial port, supporting a range of sectors.
For further information, please contact:
Captain Calum Grains, Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority. Tel: +44 (0) 1595 692991. More details about Lerwick Harbour can be viewed at www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk
For ESB media queries: Graham King, ESB Press Office, graham.king@esb.ie / +353851515886
About ESB
ESB has been Ireland's foremost energy company since it was established in 1927, driven by an unwavering commitment to power society forward and deliver a net-zero future for our customers and the communities we serve.
Launched in 2022, its ‘Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040’ strategy sets out a clear roadmap for ESB to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. It also commits ESB to a science-based target for 2030 to provide assurance that we are decarbonising our operations at the necessary pace and scale.
As a strong, diversified utility, ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB is a leading Irish utility with a regulated asset base of approximately EUR 12.0 billion (comprising ESB Networks at EUR 9.7 billion and NIE Networks at EUR 2.3 billion), a 30 % share of generation in the all-island market and supply businesses supplying electricity and gas to over two million customer accounts throughout the island of Ireland and Great Britain.
As at 31 December 2022, ESB Group employed over 8,000 people.
