In a notable gathering, representatives from nearly 100 businesses convened at the inaugural Supplier Engagement Day for the proposed 824-megawatt (MW) Dublin Array offshore wind farm, a development led by RWE Renewables. The project is situated approximately 10 kilometers off the coasts of counties Dublin and Wicklow.
This event provided a platform for attendees, including speakers and company delegates, to exchange insights on Ireland's potential to expand its offshore supply chain. Participants encompassed both established suppliers and aspirants seeking to enter the swiftly expanding sector in Ireland.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of the Dublin Array supplier engagement platform, a pivotal component of RWE's Supplier Transparency & Engagement Programme (STEP) initiative.
Upon reaching full operational capacity, the Dublin Array project will feature between 39 and 50 wind turbines strategically located on the Kish and Bray banks off the Irish coastline. This vast renewable energy resource is poised to provide power equivalent to approximately 770,000 typical households, potentially reducing Ireland's annual carbon emissions by more than 1.4 million tonnes.
The project achieved success in Ireland's inaugural Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction earlier this year and is slated to become one of the pioneering offshore wind farms developed under this scheme.
Peter Lefroy, the Dublin Array project director, expressed enthusiasm about the event's outcome, stating, “This was a really exciting event, bringing together almost 100 businesses and highlighting the huge opportunities the emerging offshore industry in Ireland can bring to local communities. We had a fantastic mix of attendees and some really excellent speakers, including a number of Irish suppliers that are already actively working in the offshore wind industry. The conversations our team had will prove invaluable as we look to ensure Ireland taps into the benefits of this new industry.”
