Preparations are underway for Rosslare Europort to lodge planning for the largest proposed maritime development in the country after proposals for its Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub receives Marine Area Consent.
Receipt of Marine Area Consent (MAC) from the Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is a significant regulatory milestone and acts as a gateway to progress to the next stage of the planning process.
The MAC grants Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, the right to occupy a part of the State’s maritime area. It also allows the project to proceed to the next stage of the statutory consenting process with a planning submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála expected in Autumn of this year.
This proposed piece of nationally significant infrastructure will:
- double the size of the existing Rosslare Europort through the reclamation of approximately 24.5 hectares of land from the sea
- provide new port facilities to support the delivery of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy targets
- deliver the deepening of the shipping channel
- the construction of two new deep-water berths
- a new small boat harbour for local operators
- be capable of supporting the construction of wind farm projects in the Irish and Celtic seas
- in the longer term will serve as operational and maintenance base for the offshore wind industry, providing for significant employment and economic development opportunities in the region
Subject to planning being granted and funding being allocated, it is expected that construction will commence in late 2026 and is anticipated to take approximately two years.
Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units with Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort said: “Granting of the MAC for Rosslare’s ORE plans is a significant milestone in the development of this critical piece of infrastructure which will support the development, growth and long-term operation of the offshore wind industry in Ireland’s Southeast. Delivering this nationally significant infrastructure will support the continued expansion Rosslare Europort, strengthen the local economy, support local employment and deliver on national and EU policy priorities.”
Granting of the MAC comes shortly following confirmation by the European Commission and the Department of Transport that investment in Rosslare’s proposed extension, refurbishment and upgrade of Berth 3 has been supported in the latest EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding allocation.
The application for funding was submitted jointly with the Port of Dunkirk and the total funding allocated to both ports is €19.24m, with Rosslare receiving €17.68m of this allocation, approximately 50% of the estimated costs for detailed design and construction.
Works to be completed to Berth 3 include extension and upgrade to accommodate larger vessels, and key emission-reducing port infrastructure, including berth development and Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) ramps, and onshore power supply.
The ORE Hub and Berth extension will be delivered alongside the ongoing programme of transformation at the Port worth an additional €170 million which, over the last 28 months, has been progressing as the Port continues to operate and grow.
This, the second largest civil construction project in the country, has:
- more than 2300 construction staff inducted
- over 1 million construction hours delivered
- 91,000m2 of new concrete laid for the trailer yards
- 24 new buildings
- 4 new substations
- 3km of new drainage
- 5km of new security fencing
- over €40M spent with local contractors
- a modern border control facility being delivered with the OPW
- the first integrated smart port system in Europe providing for a seamless transition between land and sea for passenger and freight customers
Through partnership, collaboration and innovation with customers, construction partners, community, port colleagues and stakeholders this transformation project is being delivered on budget and ahead of time.
More information on the extensive development underway at Rosslare Europort is available on www.rosslareeuroport.ie.
