Market information Offshore Wind in Ireland
In 2018, the renewable Irish electricity production consisted for 33% of renewables. Roughly 85% of the renewable electricity produced came from wind. As such, wind energy was responsible for 28% of the total electricity mix. The aggregated installed wind generating capacity in 2018 was roughly 3.750MW of which only 25MW was offshore wind (Arklow Banks Phase 1, constructed in 2004).
Ambition up to 2030
The Irish government published a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2019 by which it outlined a target to increase its renewable energy production to 70% by 2030. This increase shall comprise at least 1GW of offshore wind by 2025 and 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, through predominantly bottom fixed wind farms off the East coast of Ireland.
Ambitions beyond 2030
Beyond 2030, assuming sufficient progress in technological developments, Ireland has, due to its excellent wind conditions, immense potential for the development of additional offshore wind. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) refer to 12,5GW for fixed and up to 30GW for floating offshore wind, whereas EirWind forecasts an aggregated installed capacity of offshore wind of 24,9 by 2050.
Floating Wind
In order to achieve the 2030 target of 5GW offshore wind, the main near-term focus lies within bottom-fixed foundations. However, floating wind also receives serious attention, especially due to its long-term potential in Ireland. The Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) issued a report with recommendations to the Irish government to improve the development of offshore floating wind farms.
Local content
The terms and conditions of the Renewable Energy Support Scheme did not contain requirements for submitting of supply chain plans, which makes a market entry for foreign companies relatively easy.
Irish pipeline
The projects as listed in the table below are all the projects that are currently in the Irish offshore wind farm development pipeline. The projects in the pipeline represent an aggregated installed capacity of about 12GW . Ireland is exploring offshore wind farms with fixed foundations as well as floating wind farms given the government’s long-term support for the development of 30GW of floating offshore wind.
