Ireland has considerable offshore renewable energy generation potential, and a number of steps are underway across Government to realise our ambition of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and a plan to take advantage of up to 30GW of floating wind potential thereafter.
Currently, one small-scale offshore wind farm is currently in commercial operation in Ireland, at Arklow Bank. It is a 25MW installation, commissioned in 2004 and produces approximately 70GWh of electricity in a typical year. While there are no wave or tidal renewable generators currently in commercial operation in Ireland, there are a number of prototype generators under development and supported by the SEAI ocean energy programme.
Since this Government came into office, a number of significant steps have been taken to progress the development of our offshore energy resource including:
- publication of the National Marine Planning Framework,
- the development of a strategic framework for Ireland's Offshore Electricity Transmission System; and
- publication of the Maritime Area Planning Bill.
My Department will shortly publish a consultation on the terms and conditions of the first offshore auction, ORESS 1, which will provide a critical route to market for offshore energy and establish Ireland on a pathway to achieving our 2030 ambition.