Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date with the construction of offshore renewable energy, ORE, port facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19008/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date with the construction of ORE port facilities; if he still agrees with the Government's assessment in October that Ireland will need to develop four to five ORE port facilities, with a capacity to build 500 MW of ORE, and a "number of smaller ports for ORE Operation and Maintenance activities"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19009/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date with the construction of ORE port facilities; if the number of smaller ports for ORE operation and maintenance activities has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to ensuring that our national commercial Irish ports are positive contributors to the ORE industry and that Ireland meets the ambitious targets of 7GW of offshore wind (2GW of which is specifically dedicated to green hydrogen) by 2030.
To achieve these ambitions a National Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce was established in 2022 by the Department of Environment, Climate & Communication (DECC) to focus efforts across the system on the delivery of offshore wind energy, it brings together senior representatives from key departments and agencies. Supporting the development of port infrastructure is a core objective and the Department of Transport (DoT) is working very closely within this Task Force in this regard.
In December 2021, the DoT published a policy statement on the facilitation of ORE by Commercial Ports, the rationale for which was to bring clarity in policy terms and encourage all ports to actively engage with potential development opportunities and consider the potential being offered. In addition to the state commercial ports under the remit of the DoT, it is noted that there are also private commercial ports, as well as fishery harbours and local authority port which fall under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) respectively.
This statement also noted that to meet Ireland’s deployment activity of 5GW a minimum of 2 ports will be required with a multiple of smaller ports requirement for O&M. As you are aware, Ireland has increased its ambitions to 7GW of offshore wind by 2030 and as a result, Ireland will potentially need up to 4 or 5 ports depending on the degree to which the respective ports plans match the nature and location of the requirements for marshalling and assembly.
In the development of port infrastructure, ports must progress their plans through a number of phases, this includes consenting and planning both which must be progressed in advance of the construction phase.
MARA is to be established in Q3 2023 and will begin processing applications for Maritime Area Consent (MAC). The first MACs are expected to then be awarded to ORE ports by end of 2023, after which the ports can begin pre-engagement consultation with An Bord Pleanála (ABP) with a view to obtain planning permission for construction of ORE infrastructure.
The Foreshore and MARA Planning Units in DHLGH continue to engage with ports in relation to plans, timelines, requirements, and the consenting phase as appropriate. This engagement will continue with a view to optimally supporting port readiness for MAC applications and ensure that ports can proceed through the consenting phases as efficiently as possible.
In addition, the DoT recognises that a number of smaller ports/harbours will be required for ORE operations and maintenance activities. While I am aware there are plans for developments taking place in smaller ports in relation to O&M, specific questions relation to their activities should be forwarded to the relevant authority in the DAFM or DHLGH, depending on whose remit they fall under.
