Ireland releases geophysical data ahead of 900 MW offshore wind auction

The Irish government’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has released crucial geophysical data for the country’s second offshore wind auction, ORESS Tonn Nua, aimed at securing 900 MW of clean energy from a site off County Waterford. The bidding is scheduled for early 2025, following the finalization of auction terms on October 30, 2024.

This auction will be Ireland’s first conducted under the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC DMAP), the state’s initial spatial plan for offshore renewable energy development, approved by the Oireachtas. 

SC DMAP outlines designated areas for renewable energy projects along the southern coasts of Cork, Waterford, and Wexford, providing developers with enhanced certainty by integrating offshore wind developments within maritime spatial plans.

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024 targets 5 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, with an additional 2 GW dedicated to green hydrogen production and other non-grid applications. 

Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, emphasized the government’s commitment to ambitious offshore renewable energy goals with the recent data release.