The government of Ireland has published a guidance document to help support the development of offshore renewable energy in Ireland.
The document provides guidance on the preparation of Environment Impact Statements (EIS) and Natura Impact Statements (NIS) for offshore renewable energy projects.
The aim is to assist developers in preparing the relevant statements that may be required for the development of projects and also to provide competent authorities, consultation bodies and the public with a basis for determining the adequacy of these statements.
Denis Naughten , Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said: “The Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) identifies stakeholder engagement as a key principle for the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant ocean energy resources. Ocean energy has the potential to play a key part in Ireland’s move towards a low carbon future.”
OREDP sets out Irish government’s plan for the sustainable development of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resource.
It identifies how best to link action across the environmental, energy and economic development sectors – using both existing wind and emerging ocean and tidal technologies.
The guidance document builds on a workshop held with key stakeholders in 2015 and a public consultation which closed in December 2016.