Statement on Sceirde Rocks Windfarm

Statement on Sceirde Rocks Windfarm, 28 April 2025

Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta (FST) confirms that it will unfortunately no longer proceed with the development of Sceirde Rocks Windfarm.

This decision has been reached following the conclusion of a comprehensive technical assessment of all aspects of the project carried out over the last number of months.  This has included a review of the detailed site investigation work and studies undertaken to date, through which significant structural and technical challenges specific to the Sceirde Rocks project site have been identified.

Continued analysis has shown that the site’s seabed geology is highly complex and deeply affected by severe currents and extreme wave heights.  This has been particularly evident during the winter months and notably in examining the impacts of storms Ashley (Oct ’24) and Éowyn (Jan ’25) which produced wave heights of up to 23 meters.

As a result, we have taken the difficult decision not to proceed with the development as we are unable to guarantee the Windfarm’s deliverability as well as the health and safety of project staff and contractors.

We are grateful to the Irish Government and the community of Connemara for the opportunity to explore this project and share the disappointment that it has not been possible to find a viable way forward.  We continue to believe that Ireland has strong potential to develop a thriving offshore wind sector.

 

Ráiteas maidir le Feirm Gaoithe Charraigheacha Sceirde, 28 Aibreán 2025

Deimhníonn Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta (FST), ar an drochuair, nach leanfar ar aghaidh a thuilleadh le forbairt Feirm Ghaoithe Charraigeacha Sceirde.

Rinneadh an cinneadh seo tar éis measúnú teicniúil cuimsitheach ar gach gné den tionscadal a rinneadh le roinnt míonna anuas. Áiríodh leis seo athbhreithniú ar an obair mhionsonraithe imscrúdaithe suímh agus na staidéir a rinneadh go dtí seo, trína n-aithníodh dúshláin shuntasacha struchtúracha agus theicniúla a bhaineann go sonrach le suíomh tionscadail Carraigeacha Sceirde.

Léirigh anailís leanúnach go bhfuil geolaíocht ghrinneall na farraige ar an suíomh an-chasta agus go bhfuil tionchar mór ag sruthanna agus tonnairdí suntasacha uirthi. Bhí sé seo le feiceáil go háirithe i rith mhíonna an gheimhridh agus go háirithe i scrúdú á dhéanamh ar thionchair stoirmeacha Ashley (Deireadh Fómhair ’24) agus Éowyn (Eanáir ’25) ina raibh tonnairdí suas le 23 méadar.

Mar thoradh air sin, tá an cinneadh deacair déanta againn gan dul ar aghaidh leis an bhforbairt mar nach féidir linn inseachadtacht na Feirme Gaoithe ná sláinte agus sábháilteacht fhoireann agus chonraitheoirí an tionscadail a ráthú.

Táimid buíoch de Rialtas na hÉireann agus de phobal Chonamara as an deis iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar an togra seo agus táimid díomách nárbh fhéidir bealach inmharthana chun cinn a aimsiú. Creidimid i gcónaí go bhfuil cumas láidir ag Éirinn earnáil ghaoithe amach ón gcósta a fhorbairt.