AWN performed a detailed airborne noise and vibration assessment, incorporating advanced noise modelling and predictive analysis. Mitigation strategies included consideration and adoption of the Dublin City Council’s Good Practice Guide for Construction and Demolition and setting a maximum sound power level to be achieved by the operational WTGs. Predictive modelling for offshore monopiling construction and operational turbine noise was carried out for onshore receptors between Greystones and Wicklow Town. This included considerations for factors such as height of noise sources, atmospheric conditions, terrain and wind direction. A site review was conducted to achieve the threshold criteria outlined in the Irish Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006. Cumulative operational noise assessments were also required, giving consideration to other Phase 1 offshore windfarm developments proposed in the Irish Sea.

Attended and unattended noise surveys were carried out in the wider Poolbeg area to identify the existing noise environment in the community. Predictive calculations for onshore piling and other construction works were carried out, giving consideration to the various construction stages of the project and mitigating their impact on future residential receptors in the area. A 3D computer-based prediction model was generated to quantify the noise level associated with the operational noise levels from the onshore substation and assessed against the BS 4142 standard for rating and assessing against industrial and commercial sound. Separately AWN has also calculated onshore construction noise levels and generated noise contours from piling works and general construction for the ornithology and ecology specialists to incorporate into their impact assessments.