Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on targets for floating offshore wind off the west coast; to provide a breakdown of targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050; how this compares to targets in Scotland; how this compares to targets in Britain and the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/24]
View answerIreland has set ambitious targets for offshore renewable energy (ORE) deployment: 20GW by 2040 and at least 37GW by 2050. Government recognises that to achieve these ambitions all ORE technologies will play a vital role, including floating wind.
Unfortunately, floating wind does not yet exist at commercial scale. While there are many floating offshore wind projects proposed globally, there are only c.5 small-scale demonstrator projects operating worldwide, totalling c.220MW. It is prioritised that more competitive technology resources are maximised in the short-term, specifically fixed wind turbines, to meet Ireland’s 5GW by 2030 target while simultaneously preparing for floating wind technology to mature.
My Department recently published the Future Framework Policy Statement which sets a path to achieve the State’s long-term goals for ORE development including a suite of 29 actions. Action 1 of the Future Framework calls for a roadmap for future ORE development and targets for innovative technologies, including floating wind. The Future Framework also sets forth actions to accelerate a West Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan and to investigate Ireland’s floating wind potential at scale.
A critical component of floating wind development is ensuring affordability for Irish consumers while maintaining competitiveness with other jurisdictions. So far, the UK Government has committed to delivering 5GW of floating wind by 2030. While Government is committed to capitalising on Ireland’s vast floating wind resource, particularly off the west coast, care must be taken to minimise risk in Irish waters which have more extreme conditions compared to the UK.
