One of Ireland’s largest offshore wind plans suffered a setback when oil & gas giant Shell said it will end involvement in the Western Star and Emerald projects being advanced by developer Simply Blue.
Shell’s withdrawal was described as a “portfolio decision” in a joint statement by the erstwhile partners, who last year announced the supermajor’s plans to take 51% majority stakes in the two floating projects totaling more than 2.6GW between them off Cork and Clare counties.
Shell insisted the move comes in the context of a wider commitment to offshore wind which “remains a key growth area and integral to the delivery of [its] Powering Progress strategy”.
For its part “Simply Blue Group are progressing towards a new strategic partnership, building on the momentum of both projects to deliver government targets for Phase 2 of Ireland’s offshore wind development,” said the statement, adding that it remains “fully focused on delivering the exemplary Emerald and Western Star projects”.
Both parties said they “wish the other success with their respective ventures”.
Simply Blue has emerged as one of the most ambitious floating wind players globally, as recently as last week announcing major plans to bid in Iberian auctions.
Ireland’s offshore wind sector has rapidly accelerated in the last few years, helped by a government target that was recently increased by 2GW to 7GW by 2030.
While the Irish market has seen the arrival of major global developers such as RWE, it has also suffered setbacks before, notably when Norway’s Equinor announced it would exit the 1.4GW Green Atlantic@Moneypoint project off the Atlantic coast being advanced by ESB.
