Aklow Bank Wind Park
WHAT
Commercial
WHERE
Arklow, Ireland
WHEN
June 2021
SSE Renewables has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art development at Arklow Harbour, Co. Wicklow, proposed as part of Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2.
The development is a key component of the planned Phase 2 520MW Arklow Bank Wind Park, located 6km to 13km off the coast of Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
Studio Negri worked along with RPS ENGINEERS to design the Operations and Maintenance Facility. Inspired by Arklow’s credentials as a Decarbonisation Zone, we wanted to ensure the Operations and Maintenance Facility is designed to deliver a high-performing, state-of-the-art facility, with minimum impact on the environment, and powered by renewable energy sources. The social element of the facility has also been carefully considered. The building will be engaging for users and the community with spaces for people to work, but also to gather and collaborate.
Once complete, the building will accommodate around 80 full-time employees who will be recruited to work on the wind farm once it becomes operational. These direct jobs will include site managers, supervisors, technicians, control room operators, engineers, vessel crew, stores and administration staff. The wider wind park project will also support thousands of indirect and induced jobs over the project’s lifetime.
The four-storey development for Arklow’s South Dock has been designed to be a ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building’ (NZEB), meaning the building will operate to very high energy performance. The facility will accommodate warehousing for wind turbine components, office and meeting space and staff welfare facilities.
Plans are also in place to provide a Sustainable Development Centre on the top floor overlooking the Harbour which will anchor the facility in the community and welcome visitors for educational tours, exhibitions and sustainability-themed events.
Urban realm improvements are also planned for the site including landscaping and improved public lighting.
The nearshore element of the plans will see the existing disused syncrolift removed from the Harbour’s dockside and replaced with berthing and pontoon facilities for crew transfer vessels (CTVs) which will transfer maintenance employees to and from the turbines on a daily basis to help operate the offshore wind park.