Shell joining Western Star floating wind project offshore Ireland

Shell has agreed to acquire a 51% interest in the Simply Blue Group Western Star venture.

This was established to develop a floating wind farm off the Clare coast in Ireland. Western Star will be developed by Simply Blue Group personnel and Shell floating wind experts. The project office will be based at Simply Blue Group’s headquarters in Cork.

Floating wind technology can be installed in deeper waters than fixed wind turbines allowing this project to be placed 35-60 km (21.7-37 miles) offshore.

The joint venture will seek to co-develop up to 1.35 GW in total: 300 MW-450 MW in the first phase with 700 MW-900 MW to follow. This is said to be equivalent to powering over one million Irish homes.

According to Simply Blue Group, the first phase of the project could include between 15- and 18-MW turbines.

Earlier this year, the companies agreed to jointly develop the Emerald floating wind project offshore southern Ireland.

Source: Offshore Magazine