A major step forward in Ireland's renewable energy ambitions has been announced at the Wind Europe annual conference in Copenhagen, as EirGrid, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the future of offshore wind.

The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between the three state agencies to accelerate the development of Ireland's offshore wind sector. It supports goals laid out in the Government's Powering Prosperity - Ireland's Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, which outlines the path to delivering 37 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2050.

Key priorities under the MoU include attracting inward investment, supporting Irish companies to access offshore wind opportunities, training in public procurement tendering, and building a robust supply chain to meet national energy targets.

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The initiative aligns with the Government's commitment to connect at least 5 GW of offshore wind to the national grid, part of a broader strategy to supply 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewable sources in the coming years.

Michael Mahon, Chief Infrastructure Officer at EirGrid, said: "Today marks a great step in energy cooperation between State agencies, which will be vital in helping Ireland meet our ambitious renewable targets, including developing five gigawatts of offshore wind in the coming years. The development of renewables in the Irish maritime area is critical for achieving our energy transition and boosting energy security. This memorandum of understanding shows the critical need to expand and deepen our collaboration for the benefit of Ireland and our sustainable energy future."

Matt Kennedy, Head of Client Transformation at IDA Ireland, added: "Strengthening collaboration between Ireland's enterprise agencies and EirGrid is crucial to accelerating offshore wind deployment in Ireland and transforming our energy system. By working together, we can drive market interest, expand industry knowledge, and create a thriving environment for offshore wind development."