#WindTurbines- A first batch of tower sections for a wind turbine project arrived at Port of Waterford last week on board an Antigua and Bermuda flagged cargoship, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The cargo was the first of nine tower sections of a four-turbine wind turbine project for GE Wind that were self-discharged from BBC Orion (2007/7,223grt). The ship operated by BBC Chartering having berthed at Beliew, the Port of Waterford's Terminal.

Following unloading of the inaugural batch, the wind turbines went into storage until the wind farm is ready to accept.

The instalment was handled by Celtic Shipping Agencies Ltd. The agency has also been nominated to handle a further two projects cargoes also for GE Wind through Waterford during 2017.

Of these, the first project is for a total of 28 turbine scheduled. As for the second project this is only to involve 10 turbines to be discharged.

The agency were also in recent years responsible for the Guinness fermentation tanks transported to Dun Laoghaire Harbour. From there the tanks were taken by road for an upgrading project at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin.

#PowerFromTheSea - The Irish Times reports that the Marine Institute hopes to install wind turbines in Galway Bay for an offshore renewable energy trial.

Permission is being sought for up to three turbines, with a maximum height of 35m above sea level, that would be installed at different times at the current ocean energy test site off Spiddal, along with a prototype offshore power generating station that would cover an area of 37 hectares.

The entire project will open for public consultation on Monday 18 April. The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

This story was updated to correct the previously reported 60m height of the turbines, which, according to the Marine Institute, was based on a error in the lease application form. The Marine Institute also clarified that the turbines would not be installed concurrently.

#BELFAST LOUGH NEWS - A new hub for wind turbine manufacturing at Belfast Harbour is expected to the completed by the end of this year, as the Belfast Telegraph reports.

The 50-acre reclaimed site on the shores of Belfast Lough chosen by Danish energy company DONG has apparently been kept vacant or more than 50 years awaiting the right development.

When operational early next year, the new 'offshore wind logistics terminal' - which will produce wind turblines for the West of Duddon Sands Wind Farm in the Irish Sea off Cumbria in north-west England - is expected to create 300 jobs in the growing renewable energy sector. Meanwhile, 150 workers will be needed for the construction phase.

A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour described the £50 million (€63.2 million) project as "the largest ever in Belfast Harbour's 400-year history" and "a major vote of confidence" in the harbour's long-term investment strategy.

The Belfast Telegraph has more on the story HERE.