In a significant commitment to advancing Ireland's offshore wind energy sector, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, announced at the 2024 Wind Energy Trade Show that a second offshore wind auction will be held in 2025.

The announcement follows news that an auction for the Tonn Nua site, located off the coast of Waterford, is also slated for early 2025. Speaking to several hundred industry delegates, Minister Ryan emphasised the government's dedication to expanding Ireland’s renewable energy capacity. He highlighted plans for an additional auction later next year for a second site identified off Ireland’s southern coast, known as Lí Ban.

-- Advertisement --

The auction timelines underscore Ireland's ambition to position itself as a leader in offshore wind energy, with these strategic developments aimed at bolstering the nation’s renewable energy infrastructure and advancing its climate goals.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: "This is a tremendous boost for Irish offshore wind energy. It sends a message that will be heard right around Europe, that Ireland is committed to offshore wind and determined to accelerate."

The Lí Ban site is significantly larger than Tonn Nua and it is estimated a wind farm built at that location could be in the range of 1,100 MW to 1,500 MW in size compared to the 900 MW proposed for Tonn Nua.