ongoing

This project aims to produce best practice guidelines for offshore wind farm projects in relation to community acceptance and stakeholder engagement

Project Insights

  • €32,900

    Total Project Costs
  • 1 yr

    Project Duration
  • 2019

    Year Funded

Project Description

This project aims to develop an information source/one-stop-shop publication on best practice Community Acceptance and Stakeholder Engagement for Offshore Wind farm projects. Many countries have a strong track record in the deployment of offshore wind farms. Five countries account for 98% of all offshore wind capacity connected in Europe. The UK has the largest amount of installed offshore wind capacity in Europe, representing 43% of all installations. Germany follows with 34%, Denmark 8%, Netherlands 7% and Belgium 6%. France has installed its first offshore wind turbine, a floating turbine representing a total of 2 MW of installed capacity. Many other countries such as Ireland, Portugal, Norway, Finland, France, Canada and the USA are in their infancy of offshore wind farm development, but have plans to significantly grow this sector. Community acceptance remains a key constraint to the development of onshore wind projects. Offshore wind projects throughout Europe also experience resistance among coastal communities, as has been the case in Ireland. Ireland can learn from international best practice in community acceptance and stakeholder engagement. As offshore turbines are long-term capital intensive investments, a key challenge facing investors is gaining government strategic confidence in the sector. Enabling community acceptance and engagement could help build such confidence.

Project Details

Total Project Cost: €32,900

Funding Agency: SEAI

Year Funded: 2019

Lead Organisation: Construction Support Services

Partner Organisation(s): IWEA

Collaborators: Members of Task 28 International Energy Agency – Wind, University of Exeter

Garry Keegan

Lead Researcher