Port of Waterford has lodged a planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for its Offshore Renewable Energy Terminal at Belview, County Kilkenny
The application is a major milestone for the company, the oldest port in Ireland, with its application reinforcing Waterford’s ambition to play a central role in shaping the future of the country’s renewable energy sector.
The application follows the recent granting of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, which provides the legal basis for the port to seek permission to develop the new infrastructure.
Securing the MAC was a crucial step in advancing the southeast as a hub for offshore wind, and it now allows the Port of Waterford to progress its vision of building a purpose-designed terminal.
The scale of the proposed development reflects both the immediate and long-term needs of the sector. Central to the project is a 250-m extension to the existing wharves at Belview.
The application also provides for extensive land reclamation, new quayside operator support facilities with workshops and warehouses, berthing pontoons, and two separate three-storey office and staff buildings for offshore operators.
The development also includes a replacement electricity substation, underground services, roof-mounted solar PV arrays to generate renewable power on site, and a dedicated biodiversity enhancement area of approximately 1.8 hectares.
The investment will transform the port’s capacity to support large-scale offshore renewable energy projects, creating the conditions for Waterford to act as a strategic staging ground for major developments such as the proposed Tonn Nua offshore windfarm and future projects across the Celtic Sea.
With Ireland committed to generating 7 GW of offshore wind by 2030, the terminal at Waterford is designed to support this target and beyond.
The port said the project’s economic potential is also significant. Beyond its immediate construction and operational benefits, the terminal represents a long-term investment in sustainable business and regional prosperity.
Speaking about the application, Port of Waterford chief executive David Sinnott said, “This is a landmark day for Port of Waterford. Our application is about more than new infrastructure, it’s about creating jobs, driving growth, and helping Ireland meet its 2030 climate goals. Waterford has been a maritime gateway for over a thousand years, and now we are ready to lead Ireland into its offshore renewable future.”
