New UCC Project to Advance Environmental Modelling for Offshore Wind on Ireland’s South Coast

7 Apr 2026

A new €300,000 research project at University College Cork (UCC) will strengthen the scientific foundations underpinning Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions. 

Funded by the Marine Institute over three years, the Mara‑B‑Ore Project will focus on the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC‑DMAP), one of the key regions identified for future offshore renewable energy development.

Led by Dr Michael O’Shea, the project will be carried out by UCC’s Structural and Hydro‑Environmental Engineering Group in the School of Engineering and Architecture, in collaboration with Dr Aaron Lim and Dr Shauna Creane of the School of the Human Environment/Sustainability Institute.

The team will deliver integrated modelling across a range of critical environmental processes. This will include modelling of wave and tidal dynamics, alongside detailed analysis of sediment transport. The project will also examine underwater noise and assess ecological responses to offshore wind activity. In addition, the team will evaluate the cumulative environmental impacts associated with offshore wind development.

The project will generate high‑resolution environmental datasets, along with mitigation frameworks and decision‑support tools designed for planners, regulators, and policymakers.

By providing data‑driven insights, Mara‑B‑Ore will directly support Ireland’s offshore wind strategy and climate action commitments. The initiative also reflects UCC’s strategic priorities in sustainability, renewable energy, and impactful research that informs national policy.