Record-breaking cargo of scale handled by Port of Waterford

The wind turbine blades will be stored at the Port before being transported to Cushaling Wind Farm in Offaly

BBC Citrine 153m arrived from Turkey with the 80m long blades, which are the longest ever imported to Ireland

A vessel load of 80 metre-long wide-turbine blades, the largest ever in size to be imported to Ireland were shipped to the Port of Waterford over the weekend. 

The vessel, BBC Citrine 153m arrived from Turkey with the blades also believed to be the longest in the UK.

They were unloaded and will be stored at the Port before being transported by road to their destination at Cushaling Wind Farm in Offaly.

Port of Waterford CEO David Sinnott said, "While the Port of Waterford handed similar cargo in 2023, this is the first time that components of this scale were handled through an Irish Port.

"The role that our national ports will play in the provision of offshore wind energy is a current topic and this particular project proves the important role that port teams are already providing in the creation of the current onshore wind energy infrastructure."

Mr Sinnott added that the Port of Waterford is "strategically positioned to support the future offshore wind energy sector" and has currently proposed a 250m quay extension to further support this work and future growth in the sector.

Cushaling Wind Farm is being developed by Statkraft and will mark the first use of the Vestas V162-6.2 MW EnVentus turbines in the Irish market. 

The nine turbines, which have a tip height of 185 metres, will be the largest on any wind farm in Ireland. 

The development, which will deliver 55.8MW of clean renewable energy to the grid, represents a €95m investment by the company.