Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
656. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of new offshore wind farms planned to be built; the locations of the planned wind farms; and when they are due for completion. [52916/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the foreshore consent process, which is governed by the provisions of the Foreshore Acts 1933, as amended.
In terms of developing an offshore wind farm, I should point out that a Foreshore Lease is only one of a number of consents that are necessary for its development. Other consents that are required include terrestrial planning permission, an ability to output to the national grid, and a licence to generate electricity. In addition to the development and planning consents that are required, offshore wind farms also require subsidy support, which is being made available through the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS). This programme has been developed by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Two Foreshore Leases have been granted in respect of offshore wind farms, the Arklow Bank Wind Farm and Codling I Bank Wind Park Farm, off the Wicklow coast, in 2002 and 2005. These leases were issued by the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who had responsibility for foreshore functions at that time.
My Department has the following five Offshore Renewable Energy Applications on hands:
- Codling II Bank Wind Park Farm (same company as for Codling I),
- Oriel Wind Farm,
- Dublin Array Wind Farm (Kish and Bray Bank are two separate applications), and
- Sceirde Wind Farm (Fuinneamh Sceirde Teo)(FST).
As indicated, my Department's forward visibility in relation to projects of this kind is limited to the extent to which such projects have become the subject of engagement under the foreshore consent process. Other projects outside this, and the timing of the actual carrying out and completion of developments, are a matter for the relevant project promoters in the first instance.
