TechWorks Marine has initiated a meteoceanographic survey off the south coast of Ireland as part of the technical support to the national Powering Up Offshore – South Coast project, managed by EirGrid. The survey is being carried out in the Tonn Nua area, which is included in the Designated Maritime Area Plan(SC-DMAP), and will run for one year.
The start of a meteoceanographic study in the South of Ireland.
The company Fugro is the main company in charge of the marine marine studiesThe analysis is aimed at collecting fundamental oceanographic and environmental data. This information will be used to design marine substations and connections to the electrical grid, which will allow the integration of 900 megawatts of offshore wind energy into the national energy system.
The selected area, Tonn Nua, has been identified for its potential to contribute to the Irish government’s renewable energy targets, which include achieving at least 5 gigawatts of installed capacity in offshore wind and 80% clean energy coverage in the next few years.
With more than 20 years of experience in meteoceanographic data collection and analysis, TechWorks Marine is leading the technical operation of the survey. In October 2025, the company deployed oceanographic buoys from the vessel ILV Granuaile, which are transmitting information on currents, tides, wind and waves.
The development of this project involves close collaboration with coastal communities and local stakeholders. Liam Ryan, EirGrid’s Director of Transformation and Marine Energy, mentioned that these types of studies require strategic planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including fishing communities and landowners.
TechWorks Marine CEO Charlotte O’Kelly expressed her team’s commitment to Ireland’s energy transition, noting that the data collected will help develop sustainable solutions and strengthen the country’s energy security. The project also represents an opportunity to foster regional economic growth through the implementation of clean energy infrastructure.
The information obtained through the study will directly contribute to the design and implementation of the offshore transmission systems that will connect offshore wind generation with onshore consumption.
Source and photo: TechWorks Marine
