Wind Energy Ireland has welcomed the Government's indicative roadmap for Ireland's offshore wind energy auction, ORESS 2.1.

Taking place off Ireland's south coast, ORESS 2.1 will procure up to 900 MW of offshore wind. This will aid the delivery of Ireland's renewable energy targets under the 2023 Climate Action Plan.

The publication of the roadmap coincides with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC)’s publication of long-range plans by its members. The NESC plan includes Ireland's indicative plans to meet the 2040 target of 20GW of offshore wind through competitive processes in the period up to 2030. Related construction will take place up to 2040.

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Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "This roadmap is a positive signal for the continued development of Ireland's offshore wind industry. It will provide project developers and the offshore wind supply chain with greater certainty on the steps and timelines to deliver the next auction process.

"We now need Government to ensure that the south coast DMAP can be published as quickly as possible and that resources are in place across critical state agencies to deliver the auction as early as possible in 2024.

"The NSEC long-term plan gives clarity to the offshore wind industry on Ireland’s goal for the next seven years. It is clear that offshore wind energy produced around our coasts will have a key role to play in not just delivering an energy independent Ireland, but an energy independent Europe. We look forward to working with Government to realise this vision and deliver 20GW of offshore wind for Ireland by 2040."

The NSEC consists of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the European Commission. NSEC plays a crucial role in promoting and streamlining the advancement of the offshore grid, enabling the harnessing of substantial renewable energy resources within the North Seas region.