Irish firms to develop 16GW wind project for UK

Two Irish companies will be involved in the development of over 16GW of offshore wind in the next round of development in UK waters.

SSE Renewables and Mainstream Renewable Power are among the companies to have been selected to develop three different projects around the British coast.

In total, 32GW will be developed, 4GW in the Irish Sea and 1.5GW in the Bristol Channel, both close to Irish waters.

The UK’s offshore deployment will see a total investment of £75bn and lead to the creation of up to 70,000 jobs by 2020, according the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland secretary Brian Britton welcomed the announcement.

Mr Britton said: "SSE Renewables and Mainstream Renewable Power are both Dublin-based companies. Both are leaders in the development of offshore wind and the British Government's announcement that they will be involved in delivering over half of the UK’s Round Three Offshore Programme is proof of that. Ireland can clearly be a centre of excellence in the development of offshore wind projects."