Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
611. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in respect of off-shore wind farms to reduce Ireland's carbon footprint and decrease costs; the number of off-shore wind farms that are planned; the locations of same; the projected cost of same; his further plans to increase the capacity in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32240/18]
View answerThe 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out the Government’s policy for the sustainable development of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources. The Strategic Environmental Assessment that underpinned the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind could be sustainably developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030. An interim review of the OREDP was published in May and is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. The Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group, which oversees the implementation of the OREDP will now consider the recommendations of the review and continue the work of implementing the actions and enablers set out in the Plan.
My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. The design of the new scheme included an extensive independent economic appraisal which compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, at various scales to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines. The analysis indicates that a number of renewable technologies have converging and in some cases overlapping cost ranges and the continued falling costs of renewable technologies, such as offshore wind and solar PV, is a positive development. I will bring the final design proposals on the new RESS to Government before the summer recess.
The development and consenting of specific offshore wind farms is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
