Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
198. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether the changes announced in the Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind will hinder the progress of offshore wind projects in Ireland [17331/23]
View answerThe Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind approved by Government aims to accelerate the delivery of 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, as well as the wider Climate Action Plan objective of achieving 80% renewable electricity by the end of this decade.
Under Phase Two, offshore renewables capacity will continue to be procured through the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), with the size and regularity of auctions required to meet the 5 GW target to be determined by onshore grid and marine spatial constraints, and the outcome of Phase One. Phase Two auction participants will compete for supports to develop offshore wind capacity within Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Designated Areas, which will be designated according to legislative provisions for Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) in the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.
The location of Phase Two ORE Designated Areas will be geographically aligned with available onshore grid capacity, in addition to being informed by environmental considerations. By aligning with and maximising scarce available onshore grid capacity, the designation of ORE Designated Areas will expedite future delivery of offshore wind, while ensuring that development is managed in a planned, strategic and sustainable way. This approach will further provide additional certainty for investment in Ireland’s offshore renewables sector due to enhanced project delivery prospects.
