Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
45. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the national policy and regulations on offshore energy creation and the need for it to be fast-tracked and clearly enunciated by Government and Government agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is leading on significant legislative, regulatory and policy developments to meet Ireland’s legally binding climate objectives and accelerate the deployment of offshore renewable energy (ORE). This is vital to Ireland’s green energy transition, reducing our dependency on imported fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring security of supply and managing energy prices.
The Government has recently agreed to increase our 5GW ambition for offshore wind energy, with an additional 2GW dedicated to green hydrogen production. Furthermore, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a longer-term plan to harness the estimated potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our Atlantic waters. The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) recently agreed a non-binding target of 260GW by 2050 for the North Seas, with non-binding targets of 15-20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050 for Ireland.
The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 provides the legal authority for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to assess Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of pre-qualified offshore renewable energy projects. This work is in progress, with decisions on the first MACs to be made this year, allowing successful projects to apply for planning permission from An Bord Pleanála. All applications will involve a robust assessment of project specific details, include environmental assessment and full public consultation.
Consultation will shortly conclude on the criteria to select a second batch of ORE projects to enter the new maritime consenting system, enabling delivery on our 2030 targets.
An updated Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan will be published in early 2023. It will assess Ireland’s offshore energy resource potential and provide an evidence base to facilitate the identification of areas most suitable for the sustainable development of ORE, while also considering other maritime activities and marine biodiversity.suitable for the sustainable development of fixed and floating wind, wave, and tidal technologies in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone, while also considering other maritime activities and marine biodiversity. The OREDP II will support the intended development of offshore wind energy off the Atlantic coast accordingly.
