Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wind Energy Generation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (107)

Brian Leddin

Ceist:

107. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to expedite harnessing the vast wind energy resource off the west coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10269/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland’s increased climate and energy ambition is reflected in the Government target to achieve 5GW of installed offshore wind generation by 2030. There is further commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a longer-term plan to harness the potential 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our Atlantic waters. The 5GW target will be primarily met through development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland’s eastern and southern coastal regions. This reflects the suitability of water depths in these regions for deployment of conventional fixed bottom offshore wind turbines and existing electricity grid infrastructure to connect these projects to the onshore grid. Subsequent cost-effective deployment of renewables in deeper waters off the west coast, to take advantage of greater wind resources, should be increasingly feasible through future advances in floating turbine technology. The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, was enacted in December 2021 with my Department providing input on provisions specific to offshore renewable energy. The Act provides a modern, up-to-date regulatory framework that will enable offshore renewable energy developments beyond the limits of the current foreshore regime. Work on a revised Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) has also been initiated by my Department. This will provide an evidence base for the identification of the most suitable areas for the sustainable development of fixed and floating wind, wave, and tidal technologies in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while also considering other maritime activities and marine biodiversity. The OREDP II, along with a planned economic analysis, will set out the pathway for the development of offshore renewable energy beyond 2030.

Barr
Roinn