Two parallel Leasing Rounds for offshore wind and tidal stream development as new sources of renewable energy for Northern Ireland have been announced by The Crown Estate.

The Crown Estate is seeking expressions of interest from private sector developers for offshore wind and tidal stream Leasing Rounds in NI waters. An Offshore Wind Area off the east coast to deliver up to 600MW of generating capacity and a Tidal stream area off the north east coast around Rathlin of up to 200MW.

Energy Minister Arlene Foster said this marks a "major step forward" in the growth of our offshore renewable energy industry.

Ms Foster said: “Over the last six months there has been a high level of activity to address a number of key issues identified in our offshore plans to facilitate the Leasing Rounds. 
"In this regard, I welcome the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom and Irish Government which provides clarity in relation to offshore renewable energy marine jurisdictional issues. The seas around the coast of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland offer not just a significant renewable resource but also significant economic benefits which we are both keen to capture."

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Rob Hastings, The Crown Estate's Marine Director said: "Our discussions with industry have highlighted demand for the leasing rounds, which represent another major step forward for the UK's already world-leading offshore renewables industry. The energy infrastructure projects to be delivered will not only reap significant economic benefits for Northern Ireland, but will also further diversify the energy supply away from industrial sources to low carbon renewable energy."


The next stage involves the issue of a pre-qualification questionnaire leading to invitations to tender. Tenders would then be assessed in early 2012 with development rights being granted to successful companies from as early as summer 2012. 


(CD)