Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Renewable Energy Generation

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for public engagement in relation to offshore renewable energy projects; the intended framework for that community engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28444/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Citizen engagement is central to Ireland’s offshore renewable energy transformation. The Maritime Area Planning Act (2021) establishes a new planning regime for the sustainable development of our offshore resources and it provides that public participation is a priority in plan and policy-making and in the assessment of  development proposals. In accordance with the Aarhus Convention, there is full public participation in planning applications and decisions in respect of planning applications in the maritime area. All applications by offshore wind energy projects for development consent to An Bord Pleanála will involve full public consultation.

My Department is considering all submissions on the public consultation on draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS);  a formal consultation response, to include local communities’ submissions, will issue in the coming weeks. Successful projects under the ORESS will be required to make significant community benefit fund contributions from an early stage in the lifecycle of an offshore wind project. 

My Department is also progressing work on the second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. This will set out a pathway for the long-term sustainable development of Ireland's offshore renewable energy resources. As work on this plan is progressed during 2022, public participation will be sought, particularly from those in coastal communities, in addition to key stakeholders to ensure a wide variety of views are captured in the development of this plan.

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