The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has provisionally granted a joint venture between ESB and Ørsted the rights to develop the Tonn Nua offshore wind site off County Waterford.

Under Ireland's plan-led approach, Tonn Nua was designated within the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP) as the exclusive location for the country’s second offshore wind auction (ORESS Tonn Nua). The award enables the delivery of a 900 MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm and allows the successful bidder to apply for a seabed lease and grid connection.

Though at an early stage, the project is expected to cover 306 square kilometres and deliver approximately 900 MW of capacity once completed — enough electricity to power almost one million homes based on the area's wind conditions. First power is anticipated in around ten years, with a final investment decision targeted for 2031.

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Jim Dollard, Executive Director Generation & Trading at ESB, commented: "ESB is delighted with the outcome of the ORESS Tonn Nua auction. It secures a clear pathway for the development of a significant project off the coast of County Waterford marking another important step toward Ireland’s renewable energy and Net Zero ambitions. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver a project that provides significant energy security and price certainty for Irish consumers."

Alana Kühne, Head of Region Europe Development at Ørsted, said: "We commend the Irish government for running a successful auction continuing the support for the development of offshore wind in Ireland. Offshore wind will play an important part in the future Irish energy system ensuring green, affordable and secure energy. We will continue to work with our joint venture partner ESB to carefully assess and progress this early-stage development opportunity, including ensuring that the project lives up to our value creation criteria."

Next, the joint venture will seek a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) and Marine Usage Licence (MUL) from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) to commence surveys and assessments ahead of a planning application. MAC-related fees are expected to return more than €6 million per year to the State for the duration of the project. A significant community benefit fund is also planned, contributing €2/MWh once the wind farm is operational.