Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a contract by Irish state agency Údarás na Gaeltachta to create a masterplan for an offshore wind farm on the site of the Ros a Mhíl harbour centre in County Galway, on Ireland’s west coast. 

Atkins’ will produce a plan for the development of the port, an economic assessment, engineering and logistical requirements and an energy masterplan focusing on how to achieve net-zero operations. 

The hub will contain fixed and floating wind turbines and will be developed in parallel with a fishing port and leisure marina. 

The project will create 900 jobs in the region, according to a feasibility study by Údarás Na Gaeltachta. 

Atkins has recruited Irish-speaking engineers from the area as core members of the project team. Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, Údarás Na Gaeltachta’s chief executive, said: “The development of Ros an Mhíl as an offshore wind energy hub is likely to have a profound impact, not just on the economy of the Gaeltacht regions of Conamara and the Aran Islands, but also on Ireland’s ability to lessen its energy dependence.” 

Christopher Kilsby, Atkins’ offshore and renewables market lead, said: “Offshore wind is a vital component of Ireland’s climate action plan and the development of supporting infrastructure will be critical to realising Ireland’s renewable targets. Atkins will bring our global experience in green ports and offshore wind to support this truly sustainable investment.”