Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The target of generating 5 GW of offshore wind energy is a key plank of the programme for Government. This target was increased to 7 GW by 2030 in the course of the summer. I have heard the Taoiseach describe it as our moon shot. At present, Ireland generates 0.025 GW on the Arklow Bank. There is an offshore renewable electricity support scheme, ORESS, 1, auction process under way. If successful, it will generate 2.5 GW in its own terms. The controversial phase 2 announced this month is limited to an additional 0.7 GW. If any of the capacity in the 2.5 GW is not taken up, that will be taken up. The additional 2 GW has been downgraded to being under development by 2030, whatever that means, because all of the ORESS 1 projects are under development for ten years. How does 0.025 GW, 2.5 GW and 0.7 GW add up to 5 GW? If they do not, how is the Government going to meet its targets?

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