Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the work of his Department in the development of offshore wind in County Louth. [6798/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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To align with overarching decarbonisation objectives, Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions are being delivered in a phased approach. Phase One comprises six projects which will deploy fixed-bottom technology, with the majority of these Phase One projects on the east coast and one on the west coast. The combined capacity of all Phase One projects is approximately 4.4 gigawatts.

One of the planned Phase One projects is located in the Irish Sea off the coast of County Louth. Another is proposed off the coast of Dublin, Meath and Louth.

Having received Maritime Area Consents under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, Phase One projects competed in ORESS 1 – the State’s first auction for offshore wind energy – in 2023. The ORESS 1 auction procured over 3 gigawatts of capacity from four Phase One offshore wind projects - enough to power over 2.5 million Irish homes. ORESS-supported projects must establish mandatory community benefit funds. Additionally, the two unsuccessful projects from the ORESS 1 auction are seeking alternative routes to market through corporate power purchase agreements.

As of today, five of the six Phase One projects have submitted formal planning applications to An Bord Pleanála, with the final application anticipated in the coming weeks.

Going forward, government has adopted a plan-led approach which is being overseen by a cross-Government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce. This will ensure that development of offshore renewable energy continues to be delivered in a planned, strategic, economical and sustainable way, which will also guide investment in this sector.

In addition to providing an affordable, secure and sustainable source of green energy for Irish households and businesses, deployment of offshore wind will deliver lasting economic and employment opportunities for the Irish economy and local coastal communities.