Operators of Ireland's first offshore wind development have warned planning regulators that deteriorating, decommissioned turbines off the County Wicklow coast present an increasing risk to maritime navigation and local marine life if left in place.

Arklow Energy Limited (AEL) has formally submitted a decommissioning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála, seeking permission to dismantle the remaining offshore infrastructure of the Phase 1 Arklow Bank wind farm. The seven-turbine facility, located roughly 10 kilometres off the coast of Arklow, officially ceased generating electricity for the national grid in 2024 following safety concerns.

According to planning documentation lodged by planning consultants MacCabe Durney Barnes on behalf of the operator, director Jerry Barnes stated that AEL's overarching priority is ensuring the site "does not cause harm to people, vessels or marine life." The report warns that allowing the degrading components to remain unmaintained heightens the likelihood of navigational hazards for local shipping traffic in the Irish Sea.

Commissioned in 2004, the 25.2-megawatt project was designed as a pioneer for utility-scale offshore wind energy in Irish waters. Company filings covering its 20-year operational lifespan from 2004 to 2024 show the site generated cumulative revenues of €133 million and delivered approximately 1.29 terawatt-hours of clean electricity.

While preliminary decommissioning efforts previously removed turbine blades from several structures, full planning approval is required to dismantle the remaining underwater and seabed components. The application remains under assessment by An Coimisiún Pleanála.