Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to date to progress the offshore renewable energy motion approved by Dáil Éireann on 8 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1759/22]
View answerGovernment policy and the offshore renewable energy motion approved by the Dáil on 8 December are aligned in their objective to maximise Ireland’s offshore renewable energy potential and associated economic opportunities, including those opportunities that will accrue to local coastal communities. In the period since 8 December, the following offshore renewable energy related milestones, which are necessary to facilitate realisation of the 5 GW of installed offshore wind by 2030 objective set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, have been achieved by Government: - The Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021, was signed into law by the President on the 23 December 2021. The Act represents the biggest reform of marine governance since the foundation of the State and establishes in law a new planning regime for the maritime area. The new consenting regime under the Act will be a key enabler of decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy sources and the development of offshore energy.
- Government has committed to the establishment of the new agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, by Q1 2023. This agency will inter alia be responsible for assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents by prospective renewable energy projects, which will be a first step that is required for development within Ireland’s maritime area.
- A public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction has been completed. Following assessment of the many consultation responses received, I will seek Government approval on the final terms and conditions later this year. The draft terms and conditions include a mandated community benefit contribution level of €2/MWh, with these obligations to accrue to hosting communities prior to project construction. In order to capture greater local economic and employment benefits, operations and maintenance facilities for projects supported in the first offshore auction will be required to be headquartered in an Irish or Northern Irish port.
- A public consultation was launched on 20 December regarding the process for Phase Two projects to participate in subsequent offshore wind auctions which will be necessary to meet Government’s 5GW target by the end of this decade.
- A Policy Statement setting out the strategy for commercial ports to facilitate offshore renewable energy activity in the seas around Ireland was published by the Department of Transport on 20 December.
