Onshore Construction Start

DELAYED +3yr (Apr 2026): The original projection assumed onshore construction for the Oriel 220 kV onshore export cable and Stickillin substation works could start around 2025 based on the developer’s indicative schedule. However, the Oriel Wind Farm Project planning application for the full offshore, landfall, onshore cable and substation scheme was only lodged with An Bord Pleanála (now An Coimisiún Pleanála) in May 2024, and the case page shows that the application is still under consideration, with further information submitted in January 2026 and no permission granted yet. As a strategic marine development, onshore construction of the grid connection cannot realistically begin until after consent and pre‑commencement conditions are discharged, followed by procurement and mobilisation, which typically take 18–24 months. Given this ongoing consenting phase and earlier optimistic expectations (e.g. NS Energy summarising possible onshore works from 2024 and operation by 2026), it is realistic to push the start of substantive onshore construction to around 2028. --- According to the indicative construction programme for the Oriel Offshore Wind Farm 220 kV Onshore Cable project, site preparation works for the new 220 kV onshore substation at Stickillin, which forms part of the grid connection for the wind farm, are scheduled to commence in Q1 2025.