Offshore Consenting and Development

This training course will provide participants with an understanding of the current regulatory requirements for offshore wind energy developments in Ireland alongside of practical considerations when developing and consenting offshore projects in Ireland.

This will include an understanding of the strategic approach to consenting for offshore wind, design envelope concepts alongside of key environmental and ecological considerations.  Specific considerations in relation to geophysical and geotechnical survey management shall be presented

This training course will provide the regulatory and technical knowledge and skills key to developing successful offshore wind energy projects alongside of providing delegates with the tools to navigate and de-risk the consenting process.

Learning objectives include:

• Understanding of Irish regulatory background, environmental and planning context and possible future regulatory developments;
• Guidance on assessing initial project feasibility using the considerations of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ constraints;
• Appreciation of strategic planning approach and design envelope concepts; - Knowledge of environmental and ecological considerations;
• Guidance on scoping, planning and implementing offshore surveys (environmental, ecological and geotechnical);
• Consideration of onshore infrastructure and planning requirements for offshore wind projects;
• Offshore measurement and acquisition campaigns, wind resource assessment and technology selection for offshore surveys;
• Preliminary design considerations (including grid connection) for project development;
• Impact of different data acquisition strategies and the impact of each approach on the overall DEVEX, CAPEX and the options for different contract strategies shall be presented.

This course is designed for developers, consultants, legal advisers, financial investors, suppliers, contractors and other key offshore wind energy stakeholders.

Module 1. Market Update and Planning Policy Framework

• Current Market Projections and Project Timelines
• Overview of the Competitive Landscape
• Policy Drivers Regulation, Planning and Environment
• Policy & Market Update
• Marine Spatial Planning

Module 2 - Consultations and Stakeholder Management

Stakeholder Management/Engagement Framework

The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement

• What is a stakeholder?
• What is stakeholder engagement?
• Why do we engage?
• Mutual benefits of stakeholder engagement
• Reducing Project Risk through stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping

• Identifying your stakeholders
• Identifying concerns and issues
• Understanding your stakeholders
• Power and influence/Promotor or disrupter

Communication Strategy

• How
• When
• Developing a project identity
• Know your customer
• Two way street
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Stakeholder Engagement as an Organic Process

The Principles of Stakeholder Engagement

Module 3 - Site Selection Constraints and Enviornmental Considerations 

• Constraint Mapping 
• Design Process 
• Wind Farm Site Identification 
• nsuring Added Value from the Outset

Module 4 - Metocean Data, Analysis and Design

• Design Processes from initial options to detailed design
• Overview of development stages
• Design stages
• Necessary inputs
• Interfaces & dependencies
• Key tasks / work packages
• Certification

Module 5 - Geosurveys

• Introduction
• Standards and Guidelines
  • Contract & Contractor
  • Permits & Consents
• Geophysical Surveys
  • Overview
  • Methods & Equipment
  • Outputs & Results
• Geotechnical Surveys
  • Overview
  • ‘Shallow Vs Deep’
  • Vessels & Jack-Ups
  • Methods & Equipment
  • Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
  • Outputs & Results
  • Reporting and Modelling
•  (Costs, Risks etc. Merge/overlap with Survey Strategy)

Module 6 - Survey Strategy and Ground Modelling Development 

• When, what, why?
• Phased Campaigns
• Basic Planning
• Risks & Opportunities
• Budget Costs
• Permits & Consents
• Integrated Approach
• 3D modelling

GDG are the only indigenous Irish offshore wind consultancy that has been involved in all aspects of offshore wind development, from project inception through to the commissioning.