Energy Minister Arlene Foster today welcomed the signing of agreements for a 600MW offshore wind project and a 200MW tidal development in Northern Ireland’s first offshore renewable energy Leasing Round.

The Crown Estate, which grants seabed lease development rights for offshore renewable projects, announced that agreements have been signed with First Flight Wind Limited, Tidal Ventures and DP Marine Energy Limited of Ireland and DEME N.V. (Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering) of Belgium.

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Arlene Foster said: "Today's announcement by The Crown Estate represents a major milestone for Northern Ireland. I am greatly encouraged by the progress made to date to develop our offshore renewable resource and that these key companies want to invest in our waters.

"The development of offshore renewables is an excellent opportunity for Northern Ireland in so many ways – energy security and diversity; climate change mitigation; a contribution to the Executive’s 2020 targets and the business supply chain opportunities for local companies over the next few years as these projects come on stream."

The next stage in the process will involve the developers engaging and consulting with local stakeholders as they undertake the Environmental Impact Assessments of their projects to secure the statutory marine licences and electricity consents when The Crown Estate would offer a full lease. Projects could be expected to start actual development stages from 2016/ 2017 onwards.

(CD/GK)