Latest news with #DesignatedMaritimeAreaPlan
Irish Independent
27-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Progress made on offshore wind plans as surveys on Wexford beaches begin
EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland's electricity grid, will begin the surveys, conducted by Fugro, this month, and are expected to be completed by September 2025. Engagement is ongoing between councils, local communities, and landowners with EirGrid in relation to these works as some of the landfall surveys are on private lands, however surveys are also scheduled on public beaches at potential landfall locations. The beaches where non-intrusive surveys will take place are Ballycroneen and Ballycrenane in County Cork and Carnivan, Long Gap and Blackhall Beach in County Wexford. These surveys will enable progress on EirGrid's Powering Up Offshore - South Coast project, which aims to deliver the grid transmission infrastructure needed to connect 900 MW of offshore wind generation to onshore grid connection points along Ireland's south coast. Fugro will perform comprehensive geophysical, geotechnical, environmental and metocean surveys within Maritime Area A, or Tonn Nua of the Irish Government's South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan, as well as intertidal, non-intrusive landfall investigations involving geophysical and environmental surveys. Ahead of the beginning of the survey works, the Chief Transformation and Technology Officer at EirGrid, Liam Ryan said: 'These surveys are key for assessing seabed conditions, soil properties, and environmental impacts across the landfall, intertidal, nearshore, and offshore zones related to cable corridors for the project. "The insights gained as a result of this work will play a key role in informing plans for the installation of the transmission infrastructure for offshore wind energy and will guide how EirGrid progress the project in a way that is best for our marine ecosystem and local communities.' Powering Up Offshore – South Coast is an integral part of the Irish Government's climate action plan targets to expand Ireland's renewable energy capacity to 80 percent renewable energy, including at least 5 GW of offshore wind energy. For more information about the Powering Up Offshore - South Coast project visit
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Developing a new national plan for offshore wind energy
At the start of May, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien TD announced that work has started on a new national map to identify locations where future offshore wind farms can be developed. The national Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore wind will be developed by the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy, and will involve extensive data-gathering and public consultation. It is due to be completed by the end of 2027. Ireland's first DMAP was approved by the Oireachtas late last year and identified four sites off the coast of Waterford for new offshore wind farms. The map was produced following an extensive public consultation with coastal communities in Waterford, Cork, and Wexford and was informed by detailed environmental, scientific and engineering expertise. The fishing community on the south coast was heavily involved in the process, working with the Government to ensure that, as much as possible, the impact on fishing activity from the development of offshore wind energy within the DMAP was minimised. Four areas off the south coast of Ireland have been identified for offshore wind in the Government's draft "DMAP". An auction for the first of those four sites, known as Tonn Nua — the Irish for 'New Wave' — will be held before the end of the year to build a 900 MW wind farm at that location though there continues to be uncertainty over the Government's plans for the three other sites. Managed and sustainable 'The use of strategically planned DMAPs will ensure that developments in Ireland's maritime area take place in a managed and sustainable way,' said Minister O'Brien. 'An integrated, national approach will ensure that strategic forward planning for skills, enterprise and the industry-wide supply chain development can take place. 'Ports will have the ability to forward plan for the necessary large-scale offshore infrastructure build-outs required to support ORE development, while forward planning for grid and interconnection can occur within the framework of a long-term holistic view. By focusing on a single DMAP, we will be able to maximise our resources.' The Irish wind energy industry welcomed the announcement as providing greater certainty and ambition for Ireland's offshore wind energy future while highlighting concerns about the timeline for completion. Industry response 'This will take time,' said Wind Energy Ireland CEO Noel Cunniffe, 'and our members will do everything they can to help speed things up, but once complete this will provide enough sites to accelerate the development of offshore renewable energy and to put Ireland firmly at the heart of Europe's response to the energy and climate crises. 'But it won't be done in 2027 if the resources, the personnel and the expertise isn't in place to ensure we hit that target. The offshore wind industry has struggled with missed deadlines from Government in the past and we can't afford more slippages.' The industry sees the budget later this year as, effectively, the Government's only opportunity to allocate enough funding if the 2027 deadline is to be hit. Resources will be needed to collect and buy data on Ireland's maritime area, to commission marine surveys and to ensure a thorough and transparent public consultation. It will also be critical to ensure that the development of the new national DMAP aligns with plans for new Marine Protected Areas. Legislation has long been promised to help Ireland meet its international obligation to designate 30 per cent of Irish waters as Marine Protected Areas by 2030. Marine protection While the Bill is listed as a priority in the Government's legislative calendar it is unlikely it will be enacted before work on the national DMAP is, at a minimum, significantly advanced. It is a challenge of which Minister for State at the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy with special responsibility for the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, is very conscious. 'As an island nation with an extensive maritime territory, Ireland has one of the best offshore wind resources in the world,' he said. 'The development of offshore wind projects, including floating offshore wind and other innovative technologies throughout our coastal areas, offers enormous economic opportunities for coastal communities, in terms of jobs growth and local community development. 'It also provides the opportunity to align with future Marine Protected Areas. The DMAP development process will be inclusive and will provide comprehensive consultation opportunities.' The development of the new national map has the potential to boost confidence in Ireland as a place to invest within the wider offshore wind energy industry and to produce a strong pipeline of new projects. But doubts persist over whether the Government will be able to meet the timeline it has set itself. And while work on the national DMAP must start immediately the greater priority is the remaining five offshore projects already in the planning system. With the likely loss of the Sceirde Rocks project off the coast of Galway the risks to the other projects must be minimised and this has to be at the top of Minister O'Brien's to-do list.
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland's offshore wind targets in serious jeopardy, industry warns
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has launched a plan this week where it recommends the Government resource planning authorities and key state agencies, give clarity on grid access and offshore auctions, and prioritise port expansion to ensure projects can be built on time. The plan welcomed the progress made by government in recent years and calls for fast action in the delivery of policy commitments, with proper resourcing and funding to reflect the seriousness of the Government's commitment to the sector. There are 24 targeted actions split across four delivery areas, which includes maximising the south coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), including progressing the Tonn Nua site auction and the future development of sites Li Ban, Manannan and Danu; and building vital infrastructure, including investment in ports, grid capacity and industrial demand to support offshore wind growth. Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said: 'This plan is about restoring confidence – at home and abroad – in Ireland's offshore wind potential. 'We know what needs to be done. The industry stands ready to deliver, but it cannot do so without political urgency and whole-of-government leadership. The steps we set out today are not theoretical – they are essential. 'We are now in a decisive window. If we want offshore wind to play a central role in lowering consumer energy bills, securing Ireland's energy independence and cutting carbon emissions, we need a clear pathway forward. That means removing barriers, resourcing delivery and creating certainty for investors. 'The actions laid out in the plan will de-risk investment, accelerate planning and grid processes and ensure that critical infrastructure such as ports and grid access are available in time.' The wind energy industry group said Irish wind farms provided 32% of Ireland's electricity in 2024. The plan is being published to coincide with WEI's annual Offshore Wind Conference being held in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ireland's offshore wind targets in serious jeopardy, industry warns
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has launched a plan this week where it recommends the Government resource planning authorities and key state agencies, give clarity on grid access and offshore auctions, and prioritise port expansion to ensure projects can be built on time. The plan welcomed the progress made by government in recent years and calls for fast action in the delivery of policy commitments, with proper resourcing and funding to reflect the seriousness of the Government's commitment to the sector. There are 24 targeted actions split across four delivery areas, which includes maximising the south coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), including progressing the Tonn Nua site auction and the future development of sites Li Ban, Manannan and Danu; and building vital infrastructure, including investment in ports, grid capacity and industrial demand to support offshore wind growth. Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said: "This plan is about restoring confidence - at home and abroad - in Ireland's offshore wind potential. "We know what needs to be done. The industry stands ready to deliver, but it cannot do so without political urgency and whole-of-government leadership. The steps we set out today are not theoretical - they are essential. "We are now in a decisive window. If we want offshore wind to play a central role in lowering consumer energy bills, securing Ireland's energy independence and cutting carbon emissions, we need a clear pathway forward. That means removing barriers, resourcing delivery and creating certainty for investors. "The actions laid out in the plan will de-risk investment, accelerate planning and grid processes and ensure that critical infrastructure such as ports and grid access are available in time." The wind energy industry group said Irish wind farms provided 32% of Ireland's electricity in 2024. The plan is being published to coincide with WEI's annual Offshore Wind Conference being held in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ireland aims to get 80pc of its electricity from renewables by 2030, with wind providing the biggest share, but the target is doubtful without offshore turbines. WEI is not alone in expressing concerns about the pace of development.
ITV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Ireland's offshore wind targets in serious jeopardy, industry warns
Ireland's offshore wind targets are in serious jeopardy and need immediate action from the Government, an industry group has warned. Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has launched a plan this week where it recommends the Government resource planning authorities and key state agencies, give clarity on grid access and offshore auctions, and prioritise port expansion to ensure projects can be built on time. The plan welcomed the progress made by government in recent years and calls for fast action in the delivery of policy commitments, with proper resourcing and funding to reflect the seriousness of the Government's commitment to the sector. There are 24 targeted actions split across four delivery areas, which includes maximising the south coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), including progressing the Tonn Nua site auction and the future development of sites Li Ban, Manannan and Danu; and building vital infrastructure, including investment in ports, grid capacity and industrial demand to support offshore wind growth. Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said: 'This plan is about restoring confidence – at home and abroad – in Ireland's offshore wind potential. 'We know what needs to be done. The industry stands ready to deliver, but it cannot do so without political urgency and whole-of-government leadership. The steps we set out today are not theoretical – they are essential. 'We are now in a decisive window. If we want offshore wind to play a central role in lowering consumer energy bills, securing Ireland's energy independence and cutting carbon emissions, we need a clear pathway forward. That means removing barriers, resourcing delivery and creating certainty for investors. 'The actions laid out in the plan will de-risk investment, accelerate planning and grid processes and ensure that critical infrastructure such as ports and grid access are available in time.' The wind energy industry group said Irish wind farms provided 32% of Ireland's electricity in 2024. The plan is being published to coincide with WEI's annual Offshore Wind Conference being held in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday.
