Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 124: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of offshore wind turbines granted permission for construction; the number built; the number for which permission has been applied; the arrangements he has made to provide for public consultation procedure, as promised, prior to any granting of permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14937/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The position in relation to leases and licences for Offshore Windfarms under the Foreshore Act 1933 is as follows:

A. There are currently three valid Foreshore licences for site investigation.

B. There are seven Foreshore licence applications for site investigation currently being processed.

C. Two Foreshore leases for the construction of Offshore windfarms have been granted:

(i) In January 2002 a lease was granted to Sure Partners Ltd for the construction of a 200 turbine wind farm on the Arklow Banks. Seven turbines have been constructed to date.

(ii) In November 2005, a lease was granted to Codling Wind Park Ltd for the construction of 220 wind turbines on the Codling Bank. No turbines have been constructed to date.

D. There are three lease applications currently being considered.

(i) In January 2002 Kish Offshore Wind Ltd applied for a lease for the construction of a 75 turbine windfarm on the Kish Bank.

(ii) In January 2002 Bray Offshore Wind Ltd applied for a lease for the construction of a 70 turbine windfarm on the Bray Bank.

(iii) In February 2007 Oriel Windfarm Ltd applied for a lease for the construction of a 55 turbine wind farm off Dundalk Bay.

In relation to the above information it is important to note that the authorisation of offshore energy projects under the Foreshore Act is dealt with in two distinct phases. Firstly an application must be made for a foreshore licence for a defined area of the seabed in which to explore the viability and environmental sustainability of the development. The public consultation for a Foreshore Licence for an Offshore Electricity Generating Station lasts one month. The commencement of the public consultation process is advertised in national and regional newspapers and also generally placed on the Department's web site.

Where the site for which a licence has been granted proves suitable, an application may be made for a foreshore lease. The lease application process evaluates the project and its impacts in detail using specialist advisors, statutory and non-statutory consultees, and is followed by extensive public consultation. The current public consultation process for a Foreshore lease for an Offshore Electricity Generating Station lasts two months. Recent applications have seen over one hundred and twenty organisations consulted. The commencement of the public consultation is advertised in national and regional newspapers and also generally placed on the Department's web site.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions.