Bord Gais Energy, Corio join forces to pursue Irish offshore wind

Ireland’s Bord Gais Energy, part of Centrica PLC (LON:CNA), and Corio Generation, which is a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management, on Tuesday unveiled a partnership to explore offshore wind opportunities in Ireland.

For Bord Gais Energy, the pact marks an entry into the offshore wind space. Corio, in turn, is already involved in the sector and is currently progressing the 450-MW Sceirde Rocks wind project off the west coast of Ireland.

The companies will pursue offshore wind opportunities in Ireland through a newly registered local entity called Fuinneamh Og Teoranta.

Ireland aims to explore its substantial offshore wind resource and the government has set a target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030, including 5 GW of offshore wind.

The partnership announcement follows the release of Ireland’s first industrial strategy for offshore wind in March, as well as two further publications in May: a future framework for offshore wind and potential areas of development (DMAPS) off the south coast of Ireland, with a planned auction round in late 2024.

“This significant partnership with Corio will combine our power generation and route to market expertise, the financial backing of Centrica, and Corio Generation’s global experience in the development of offshore wind projects,” said Dave Kirwan, managing director at Bord Gais Energy.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!