Ireland unveils 4 proposed areas for offshore wind off south coast

Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, on Friday published the draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), which identifies four areas off the country’s south coast proposed for development of offshore renewable energy over the next decade.

This is the country’s first spatial plan for renewable energy at sea and it will now undergo a six-week public consultation.

The draft South Coast DMAP suggests a first offshore wind project, of around 900 MW, will occur in Tonn Nua off the coast of County Waterford, with deployment aimed for by 2030.

“We can now plan to run an auction, and the winners can then proceed to deal with a brand-new purpose-developed regulator (MARA) before applying to An Bord Pleanála for development permission,” Ryan said.

The government also published on Friday the draft terms and conditions for the Tonn Nua offshore wind auction, also known as ORESS (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) 2.1. The auction is envisaged to start before the end of 2024.

Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), which represents the Irish wind industry, welcomed the publication of proposed locations for offshore wind farms off the south coast.

“Today [May 3] is a genuinely historic day for the development of offshore wind energy in Ireland and clears the way for a second offshore wind auction before the end of the year,” said WEI CEO Noel Cunniffe.

The other areas are Li Ban, also off the coast of County Waterford, and Manannan and Danu, both off the south coast of County Wexford.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said the four maritime areas have been identified after a comprehensive environmental assessment process and an almost year-long engagement with coastal communities and stakeholders.

According to an independent economic analysis, the South Coast DMAP could deliver inward investment of EUR 4.4 billion (USD 4.7bn) and an estimated 49,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) years of employment.

Ryan earlier last week also unveiled the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy, which sets out the pathway to delivering 20 GW of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37 GW by 2050.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.070)

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