Offshore Wind Energy Programme Report, "crucial to develop offshore renewable energy in face of volatile fossil fuel prices and supply disruptions'

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Minister O'Brien launches Offshore Wind Energy Programme Report outlining advancement in offshore energy delivery

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien says the impact of world events highlights the importance of developing Ireland’s offshore renewable energy. He emphasises that there is significant international interest in investing in Ireland’s offshore renewable energy (ORE) development.

Speaking at the launch of the Offshore Wind Energy Programme Annual Report, Minister O'Brien said:

"The recent volatility in international fossil fuel prices and supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East underlines the importance for developing our own renewable energy – especially offshore wind of which Ireland has an abundance. Our unique offshore wind resource means there is sizable international interest in investing in our offshore energy development, as was proven by the state’s second offshore auction which attracted strong international interest in recent months at a time when other auctions internationally were failing. The undeniable success of the Tonn Nua auction is a testament to the Irish government's ongoing commitment to the ORE sector and providing a stable policy environment to invest in."

The report produced by the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce presents key achievements, highlights, and challenges faced in 2025 across the taskforce's 9 cross-government workstreams, alongside actions to be delivered in 2026 in Ireland’s journey towards becoming a global leader in offshore energy.

In 2025, work to develop the electricity grid to accommodate offshore wind continued and was boosted by the announcement of Commission for Regulation of Utilities' Price Review 6. This allows for an historic investment in Ireland's energy infrastructure of up to €18.9 billion between 2026 and 2030.

Key milestones outlined in the report include:

  • Planning applications for all 5 Phase One projects in development off Ireland's East Coast have been lodged with An Coimisún Pleanála, with progress made towards first decisions. Their collective capacity of 3.8GW represents more than 60% of Ireland’s present peak electricity demand.
  • EirGrid's engagement with the Phase One projects to integrate their future electricity generation, whilst also progressing actions to accommodate future electricity generation into the grid from the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (SC-DMAP). Tonn Nua was the first of four sites within the SC-SMAP to be brought to developer auction.
  • Publication of the Proposal and Public Participation Statement for a National Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP) which when published in 2027 will provide for a plan and pipeline of offshore projects across Ireland's entire maritime area
  • Significant progress across Ireland’s ports: Port of Cork's redevelopment is on track to be ORE-ready in 2026
  • Completion of Ireland's offshore wind industrial strategy 'Powering Prosperity', including the appointment of a project management team to lead an 'Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence', that has since been launched as Propel Ireland
  • Implementation of the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan including the launch of ORE courses and the announcement of the development of an offshore wind skills hub
  • Progress was supported by the ongoing attention to and prioritisation of ORE by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), including a draft competitive Maritime Area Consent (MAC) framework

Underlining the report's achievements and the urgency around Ireland’s clean energy transition, Minister O'Brien said:

"The scale of our move away from fossil fuels is such that we need ongoing engagement and collaboration between government, industry and citizens – as we look to realise our renewable energy ambitions. The Offshore Wind Energy Programme harnesses the collective energy and effort across 16 state departments and agencies, and this taskforce report reflects a year of coordinated action and momentum. Looking ahead, we are focused on removing the remaining bottlenecks in planning, grid, and delivery. We need all sectors – public, private and community – to work together realise the full potential of offshore wind as a driving force for Ireland's clean energy transition."

Commenting on the report's achievements, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine, Timmy Dooley said:

"The Programme for Government recommitted our 5GW near-term objective for offshore wind energy. As the primary policy vehicle for progressing this ambition, the work of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce is of utmost importance, and this report is evidence to what can be accomplished when agencies work together to deliver on an agreed, strategically aligned plan."

The Offshore Wind Energy Programme report is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/offshore-wind-delivery-taskforce/.