Ireland speeds up seven offshore wind projects

The Irish government has designated seven offshore wind projects as relevant, meaning they will be fast-tracked through the new marine planning regime.

The selected projects include the Oriel, innogy’s Bray and Kish Banks, Codling I and II, Skerd Rocks and North Irish Sea Array (NISA) wind farms.

The announcement means the projects are allowed to work and update a number of aspects so they can apply under the new marine planning regime which will be introduced by the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Damien English and Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton revealed the projects in a joint release.

“I am pleased to announce a way forward for these offshore renewable energy projects which will now be determined under the planning regime to be introduced in the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020,” said Minister English.

“Under this new marine planning regime, these projects will apply for final development consent to An Board Pleanála which will provide further opportunities for public consultation on the individual projects.”

To remind, the Government’s Climate Action Plan commits to having at least 3.5 GW of offshore wind in Ireland in the next ten years, which will help renewables account for 70% of electricity generation by 2030.