Blake Clough Consulting is excited to announce its targeted expansion into the Irish market in 2025 and as part of this strategic initiative, we have joined Wind Energy Ireland (WEI). We look forward to being an active participant in shaping the future of Ireland’s wind energy sector. Our team will contribute to the industry’s development through WEI’s Committees and Working Groups.
Dr Caspar Collins, our Head of Power Systems – UK, will be joining WEI’s Offshore Grid Committee, while Dr Luke Yeo, Principal Consultant, will participate in the Onshore Grid Committee. Their involvement will help ensure that Blake Clough Consulting’s expertise is well-represented in both offshore and onshore grid development.
Additionally, Dr Anna Ferguson, our Managing Director, will be attending the WEI Annual Conference in Dublin on January 30th and 31st. This event will provide valuable networking opportunities and insights into Ireland’s renewable energy landscape.
Our strategy for 2025 is focused on building on our previous successful projects with Irish offshore wind and onshore renewables, expanding our client base, and growing our services in the region. We are confident that our participation in WEI and ongoing commitment to the Irish market will lead to continued success into Ireland’s renewable energy sector.
Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS1)
Over the past few years, Blake Clough Consulting has played a key role in two significant projects under the Offshore Wind Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS1): Sceirde Rocks and NISA. These projects have allowed us to make substantial contributions to the development of Irish offshore wind regulation. As active members of the Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) Offshore Grid Code Working Group and various technical working groups, we have assisted with shaping new Functional Specifications and grid code for offshore wind regulation.
Through our work on Irish ORESS1 projects, we have collaborated closely with key stakeholders such as EirGrid, the Irish electricity grid operator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), and the Irish regulator. Additionally, we have worked alongside OEMs and contractors within the supply chain for development of these projects.
Blake Clough Consulting became involved in the Sceirde Rocks project from its early stages in March 2022. Our engagement continued throughout the process, up to the successful auction outcome in April 2023 and then beyond into further project development. Our continued involvement in these projects reflects our commitment to the growth of Ireland’s offshore wind sector and to supporting the successful implementation of ORESS1 initiatives.
Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 2 and 2.1 (ORESS2 and 2.1)
The Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme 2 and 2.1 (ORESS2 and ORESS2.1) are key initiatives from the Irish government designed to support the development of offshore wind energy projects and contribute to Ireland’s renewable energy targets.
ORESS2 is the second phase of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and focuses on the procurement of offshore wind projects in Ireland. Launched as part of Ireland’s strategy to decarbonise its energy sector, ORESS2 is intended to help deliver a significant increase in offshore wind capacity, providing long-term contracts to developers who meet certain criteria, including technical and financial feasibility, as well as environmental considerations. These contracts are designed to offer financial stability to developers, ensuring the viability of projects.
ORESS2.1 is an extension of ORESS2, aimed at expanding the scope and accelerating the pace of offshore wind development. It builds upon the lessons learned from the initial ORESS2 auction and offers additional opportunities for offshore projects, potentially involving new sites and developers.
Blake Clough Consulting’s experience with ORESS1 projects, such as Sceirde Rocks and NISA, positions us well to support the implementation of ORESS2 and ORESS2.1. Our work with grid code development, power systems studies, and regulatory compliance aligns well with the technical and strategic requirements of these auctions.
Wind Energy in Ireland – Sceirde Rocks Offshore Wind Farm
Sceride Rocks Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) is proposed to be up to 450MW of installed capacity, located off the West Coast of Ireland, County Galway, comprising up to 30 offshore wind turbines. The cable connection is approximately 70km, and will connect into a substation near Moneypoint, Co. Clare, which will include the onshore reactive compensation compound. For Irish projects, the transmission voltage will be at 220kV, enabling connecting directly into the 220kV onshore network, therefore an onshore transformer will not be required to step up the voltage. This is different from the situation in GB, where an onshore transformer is generally required to step up the voltage to 275kV or 400kV. Sceirde Rocks is the only ORESS1 project that will connect off the West Coast, where the wind energy resource is particularly strong.
Proposed site:
For Sceirde Rocks OWF, we were the electrical and cables package manager for nearly two years, leading the preliminary development of these packages from a technical, commercial and procurement perspective. We also carried out preliminary power systems studies (load flow, reactive compensation, fault level and harmonic studies) for submission to EirGird.
Throughout the auction process we were involved in all aspects of project development, including the preliminary design optioneering and selection, cable route development, the technical aspects of planning and consenting and appointing and managing other consultancies and contractors. In addition, we were involved in modelling and calculations around constraints, curtailment and grid charging.
North Irish See Array (NISA) Offshore Wind Farm
NISA (North Irish Sea Array) will comprise up to 49 offshore wind turbines, and will connect off the coast of Dublin, Meath and Louth. The planned connection point is Belchamp Substation, and like Sceirde Rocks, will also including an onshore reactive compensation compound.
Proposed location:
For NISA (North Irish Sea Array) OWF, we delivered power systems studies (load flow, reactive compensation, fault level, harmonic studies and Electro-Magnetic Transient (EMT) studies) and substation design work. We also prepared Employer Requirements (ERs) for the electrical systems.
Onshore Renewables Ireland
Through our membership with Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) and a growing focus on the Irish market, Blake Clough Consulting is excited to continue our work and expand our contributions in the region. Alongside our involvement in detailed offshore wind studies, we have also been actively engaged in several regulatory initiatives, including the calculation of Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) for various technologies in Ireland. This has encompassed onshore wind, offshore wind, solar PV, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). As part of this work, we have assessed both capital expenditures (Capex) and operational costs (Opex), providing valuable insights into the cost competitiveness of different renewable energy technologies.
Additionally, we have completed a project for one of Ireland’s grid operators, comparing Irish grid code regulations for distribution-connected projects with Great Britain’s regulations, specifically in relation to G99 compliance. This work has allowed us to contribute to the harmonisation and alignment of regulatory frameworks across regions, ensuring efficient integration of renewable energy projects.
Our consultants also bring extensive experience in onshore projects in Ireland, having worked with EirGrid and onshore developers to support grid connection, system design, and regulatory compliance. This combination of offshore and onshore expertise positions Blake Clough Consulting as a trusted partner in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon energy future.
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI)
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) is a perfect partner for advancing Blake Clough Consulting’s growth strategy in Ireland through 2025. Our involvement with WEI provides an excellent platform for deepening our engagement in the Irish renewable energy sector, particularly in offshore wind and grid development.
Caspar Collins, who has previously interacted with the WEI Offshore Grid Code Working Group, has been a key participant in identifying potential technical solutions to advance the grid code. His focus has been on reactive power and control requirements, which are crucial for ensuring the stability and efficiency of Ireland’s evolving offshore grid. Caspar’s expertise in this area will continue to drive progress as we contribute to the development of Ireland’s offshore wind infrastructure.
Luke Yeo, with his extensive experience in curtailment analysis and grid modelling, brings valuable skills to the table. We are excited to apply his expertise to the Irish market, helping to optimise grid integration, assess curtailment, and ensure the effective operation of both onshore and offshore renewable energy projects.
Together, with our team’s skills and experience, we are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the Irish energy transition and to support the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals through 2025 and beyond.
