Written answers

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Renewable Energy Generation

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date with the roll-out of offshore wind, wave and tidal renewable energy harnessing; the amount of energy being generated at present in this way; the projected amount that will be generated in this way by 2030 by type of generation; the steps being taken to expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43877/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland has considerable offshore renewable energy generation potential, and a number of steps are underway across Government to realise our ambition of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and a plan to take advantage of up to 30GW of floating wind potential thereafter.

Currently, one small-scale offshore wind farm is currently in commercial operation in Ireland, at Arklow Bank. It is a 25MW installation, commissioned in 2004 and produces approximately 70GWh of electricity in a typical year. While there are no wave or tidal renewable generators currently in commercial operation in Ireland, there are a number of prototype generators under development and supported by the SEAI ocean energy programme.

Since this Government came into office, a number of significant steps have been taken to progress the development of our offshore energy resource including:

- publication of the National Marine Planning Framework,

- the development of a strategic framework for Ireland's Offshore Electricity Transmission System; and

- publication of the Maritime Area Planning Bill.

My Department will shortly publish a consultation on the terms and conditions of the first offshore auction, ORESS 1, which will provide a critical route to market for offshore energy and establish Ireland on a pathway to achieving our 2030 ambition.

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