Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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617. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will enhance or incentivise the development of offshore wind energy, including the level of subsidy; and if he has considered proposals for floating offshore wind farms. [44190/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland's abundant offshore renewable energy resource.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters, and the Plan identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of this sector.

Ireland has made good progress in relation to our legally binding targets under the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive. To date, onshore wind energy, as the most cost effective technology available to Ireland, has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity.

It is recognised, however, that this must be complemented by other technologies to meet our renewable energy ambitions. In addition to our onshore wind resource, bioenergy, solar, offshore wind and other technologies may play a critical role in diversifying our renewable generation portfolio over the period to 2030, and a recent initial public consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity sought views to inform a decision on the technologies to be supported. There will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme. Subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission, the new scheme would become available in 2016.

The development of Ireland's abundant offshore renewable energy resource will be an increasingly important element of Ireland's future energy policies. Offshore renewable energy has the potential to generate carbon free renewable electricity, reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance our security of energy supply, and deliver green growth and jobs to the economy.