Offshore Renewable Energy and Environmental Responsibility

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The increased deployment of offshore renewable energy needed to meet the EU’s climate and energy targets must not be done at the expense of environmental protection in EU seas.

It is imperative to acknowledge that offshore renewable energy projects are industrial infrastructure projects. Throughout their development cycle, their environmental impacts must be understood so as to best be avoided and to be addressed to avoid further degradation of our marine ecosystems.

Help Stop Offshore Wind on Arklow Bank

Please help our campaign by sending an email to government representatives

Email to: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie

Cc: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie, aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie, peter.burke@oireachtas.ie, darren.orourke@oireachtas.ie, richard.boydbarrett@oireachtas.ie, msp@housing.gov.ie, foreshore@housing.gov.ie, mary.butler@oireachtas.ie,
david.cullinane@oireachtas.ie, matt.shanahan@oireachtas.ie, marc.ocathasaigh@oireachtas.ie, johnny.mythen@oireachtas.ie,
verona.murphy@oireachtas.ie, malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie, info@secpa.ie, simon.harris@oireachtas.ie, tephen.donnelly@oireachtas.ie, brendan.howlin@oireachtas.ie, pat.casey@oireachtas.ie, john.brady@oireachtas.ie, james.browne@oireachtas.ie, jennifer.whitmore@oireachtas.ie, info@mara.gov.ie

Re: Offshore Wind on the South East Coast

A chara,

I wish to express my support for South East Coastal Protection Alliance and their campaign opposing the construction of wind farms on the sandbanks off the south east coast of Ireland.

The sandbanks are a vital part of our natural coastal defence system. They act as buffers against rising seas and also replenish the beaches and sand dunes along the southeast coast, which are already under growing pressure from stronger storms and sea level rise.

The Arklow Bank is also an Annex I habitat under the EU Habitats Directive. These sandbanks support important biodiversity, providing feeding grounds for around 30 bird species, including kittiwake and red-throated diver. For this reason, I believe they should be safeguarded and formally designated as a Marine Protected Area.

Allowing wind farms so close to shore would be a poor legacy to leave to future generations.

The responsible way forward is to place offshore wind developments at least 22 km from the coast, where they can deliver renewable energy without damaging our coastline and fragile marine environment, in keeping with EU Marine legislation, particularly the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive.

Is mise le meas,

[Your Name]

Email to: info@mara.gov.ie

Cc: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie, aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie, peter.burke@oireachtas.ie, darren.orourke@oireachtas.ie, richard.boydbarrett@oireachtas.ie, msp@housing.gov.ie, foreshore@housing.gov.ie, mary.butler@oireachtas.ie, david.cullinane@oireachtas.ie, matt.shanahan@oireachtas.ie, marc.ocathasaigh@oireachtas.ie, johnny.mythen@oireachtas.ie, verona.murphy@oireachtas.ie, malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie, info@secpa.ie, simon.harris@oireachtas.ie, stephen.donnelly@oireachtas.ie, brendan.howlin@oireachtas.ie,
pat.casey@oireachtas.ie, john.brady@oireachtas.ie, james.browne@oireachtas.ie, jennifer.whitmore@oireachtas.ie, darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie

Re: Decommissioning of Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 1 (ABWP1)

A chara,

I wish to express my support for South East Coast Protection Alliance and their campaign to ensure that the decommissioning of the Arklow Bank Wind Park 1 (ABWP1), located on the Arklow Sandbank, includes the full removal of all turbine foundations, scouring material, and associated cabling.

It is essential that the Arklow Bank be restored to its pre-construction state so that the sandbank can be restored to its natural profile as per the EU Nature Restoration Law 2024.

When the seven turbines were installed in 2004, scouring material was laid around their bases. The introduction of this foreign material, fixed in place, altered the natural dynamics of the sandbank and has degraded this ecosystem. As a result, the tidal flow around the bank has been disrupted, leading to unusual and highly localised erosion, most notably at the south end of Brittas Bay beach.

The Arklow Sandbank is a vital geological feature that not only supports biodiversity but also plays a critical role in protecting the surrounding coastline from storm damage. It is important to place marine conservation, sustainable development and the blue economy at the heart of public policy.

Is mise, le meas,

[Your Name]

Your support is essential in ensuring a sustainable approach to offshore renewable energy that aligns with environmental law and protects our unique marine habitats.

By sending these emails to government representatives, you are helping safeguard Ireland’s southeast coastline, the Arklow Sandbank, and the biodiversity it supports — for current and future generations.