Aerial coastal surveys to begin ahead of offshore wind farm developments

Major floating offshore windfarms planned for the south and west coasts

Paul Daly, Weston Aviation, Sarah Kandrot, Head of Aerial Surveys with Green Rebel Group, pilot Gerry Humphreys, AFTA and Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport. Picture: Clare Keogh

Large aerial surveys of the Irish coastal waters are to commence as part of the planning process for major marine renewable energy projects including offshore wind farms.

A new €1.5m twin-engine Diamond Air DA42 aircraft will be used to survey thousands of square miles of ocean and will be permanently based at Cork Airport and its arrival has resulted in the creation of 15 direct jobs. There are plans for further job creation over the coming years.