Project scope
Proposed offshore wind farm with two planning layout options: 35 wind turbine generators (WTGs) with maximum tip height 316 m, or 49 WTGs with maximum tip height 290 m. Offshore infrastructure includes inter-array cables, an offshore substation platform and an export cable corridor. The proposed foundation refinement removes monopiles in favour of jackets with suction buckets. Onshore infrastructure includes a grid facility west of the R132 and a proposed cable route around north Balbriggan, under the M1, to the grid connection point at Belcamp Substation.
Reported status and procurement
- Reported development
Plan: Target project delivery date: 2031.
- Procurement availability
- Unknown / not established
Reported regulatory context
The planning application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2024. The project timeline reports receipt and analysis of a Request for Further Information in 2025, followed by a response submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) in 2026.
A source report alone does not establish current progress or an open buying window.
Project summary
NISA is a proposed offshore wind-energy project in Ireland, in a development area off Dublin, Meath and Louth. The closest potential turbine location is described as more than 12 km from shore (NISA project page, “The project at a glance” and “Location”). The planning proposal presents two alternative turbine layouts: 35 wind turbine generators with maximum tip height 316 m, or 49 with maximum tip height 290 m. Its proposed offshore infrastructure includes inter-array cables, an offshore substation platform and an export cable corridor. The project page describes a WTG foundation refinement from monopiles to jackets with suction buckets; the 2026 offshore construction-strategy addendum says piling is no longer included in the WTG foundation construction strategy. These are design and strategy statements, not confirmation of the final installed arrangement (NISA project page, “Offshore Design Layout”; 2026 offshore construction-strategy addendum, replacement of Table 8.1).
The proposed onshore cable route goes around north of Balbriggan, crosses under the M1 and reaches Belcamp Substation; the grid facility is planned west of the R132. The project page describes trenchless HDD beneath the coastline north of Balbriggan as the preferred approach following engagement feedback, and states that no grid facility is planned between the road and coast (NISA project page, “Onshore Landfall location,” “Onshore Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD),” “Onshore Grid Facility” and “Onshore cable route”). The project page reports offshore surveys in 2022 and 2023, including geophysical, benthic and geotechnical investigations with cone penetration tests and boreholes. It reports that conditions within the site boundaries vary significantly and that survey information informed the design and construction-method work (NISA project page, “Seabed conditions”).
The project timeline reports a 2024 planning application, receipt and analysis of a request for further information in 2025, and a response submitted in 2026. An authority status table observed on 19 October 2026 records the application as received on 7 June 2024, the information request as dated 10 April 2025, the response as received on 29 June 2026, and further submissions invited up to 21 October 2026. This is a reported planning-process status, not a permission decision (NISA project page, “Project timeline”; authority, “Overview of Current Status of Phase 1 ORE Applications”).
The project page lists 2027 as the target for commencement of onshore construction and 2031 as the target for project delivery. Separately, the 2026 offshore addendum updates the planned offshore construction commencement from 2027 to 2028 while retaining a three-year duration; replacement Table A8.1 labels the programme years 2028, 2029 and 2030. It lists landfall, export cable, foundation, substation, array cable and turbine installation activities. The table’s foundation footnote expects installation to be achievable within one calendar year, but provides conditionally for remobilisation and completion in a subsequent year if installation takes longer than anticipated, for example due to adverse weather. These offshore programme years are distinct from the project page’s onshore commencement and overall delivery targets; none establishes that construction or delivery has been achieved (NISA project page, “Project timeline”; 2026 offshore construction-strategy addendum, replacement Table A8.1 and foundation footnote).
Evidence limits and unknowns
The supplied planning-status observation does not establish the outcome of the further-submission period ending 21 October 2026, a permission decision, or any later planning status (authority, “Overview of Current Status of Phase 1 ORE Applications”; observed 19 October 2026).
The supplied extracts do not establish whether construction has commenced, the final turbine layout or installed foundation arrangement, FID, contract awards, procurement status, or a supplier buying window (NISA project page, “Offshore Design Layout” and “Project timeline”; authority status table; 2026 offshore construction-strategy addendum).
No project-specific budget or financing arrangement is stated in the supplied extracts.
