Venterra has confirmed the completion of a regional metocean characterisation study for the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP). Commissioned by Ireland's Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the study supports preparation for the country’s forthcoming Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) Tonn Nua offshore wind auction.
The study used numerical modelling techniques and generated a 40-year hindcast dataset of metocean conditions across the SC-DMAP and its four Maritime Areas designated for offshore wind development. Key components included:
- Collation of existing metocean measurement data from the SC-DMAP area
- Development and validation of site-specific hydrodynamic, wind and wave models
- Statistical analysis of hindcast data to assess normal and extreme conditions
- Production of spatial maps illustrating metocean conditions across the region
The results are intended to support informed decision-making for offshore wind planning within the SC-DMAP. The SC-DMAP outlines four Maritime Areas in the Irish section of the Celtic Sea for potential offshore renewable energy development. These areas are currently intended for fixed-bottom offshore wind technology. One of the areas, referred to as Tonn Nua or Maritime Area A, is set to be developed by the winner of Ireland’s second offshore wind auction, expected later this year. The Tonn Nua project aims to deliver 900 MW of electricity from offshore wind off Ireland’s southeast coast.
