Written answers

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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187. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether further supplementary plans will be required to ramp up the construction and delivery of offshore wind farms to meet the required energy targets; if guidance is available in terms of the preferred construction options for offshore farms; if so, if they will be made available; the way in which Irish companies can prepare appropriately for future tender processes in the area of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23955/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland’s marine area is approximately ten times our land mass, and from a renewable energy perspective, one of the most energy-intensive in the EU. The development of this indigenous, clean and sustainable resource will contribute towards the achievement of our 2030 and 2050 climate goals, while also establishing a valuable export market and tangible benefits to local marine users, neighbouring coastal communities and Irish companies.

Realising the potential of our offshore resources requires significant work to develop the legal, regulatory and economic regime. The Programme for Government commits to taking the steps to deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 by inter alia,:

- Holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction by the end of 2020, with auctions held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021;

- Giving cross-government priority to the drafting of the Marine Planning and Development Bill, so that it is published as soon as possible and enacted within nine months.

- Producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and how we will develop the necessary skills base, supply chains, legislation, and infrastructure to enable it.

Good progress is already being made on these commitments and my Department is engaged with other Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. The Programme for Government 2030 targets entail total investment of tens of billions of euro and thousands of long-term, high-value jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind farm assets and associated infrastructure and services. With appropriate supports, Irish firms could capture a significant proportion of this overall investment which is planned to grow still further beyond 2030 with the large-scale deployment floating wind technology. Regional ports are already experiencing inward investment in anticipation of the significant upgrading works required for turbine assembly and deployment. Smaller ports will also see the creation of long-term jobs, as these ports are often more closely located to the wind farm sites themselves, and will be required for ongoing operation and maintenance.

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