Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]
View answerA new plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy (ORE) was adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas in May 2023. Central to this plan-led approach is the requirement that all post Phase One offshore wind developments in Ireland must be situated in marine areas identified for this purpose that are located within Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs.
As adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas, Ireland’s first ORE DMAP is to be located off the South Coast, and will identify a suitable area or areas for future deployments of offshore energy projects that aim to assist in delivery of our 2030 target and beyond. In Summer 2023, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage designated me, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, as the Competent Authority for preparation of ORE DMAPs and subsequently I published the South Coast DMAP Proposal. A refined draft South Coast DMAP is currently being prepared by my Department, which will be published in the coming months and will be subject to further public consultation.
A new Future Framework policy will establish an evidence-based pathway for longer term ORE developments beyond 2030, including with regard to the deployment of floating offshore wind technology in deeper waters in Ireland's maritime area. The draft Future Framework was published on 22 January 2024 and is currently undergoing public consultation. Following completion of this consultation, it is intended that the Future Framework will be published in Spring 2024, subject to Government approval. This will provide a framework for the subsequent establishment of future DMAPs.
