Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify the agreed or provisionally agreed auction contracts under ORESS 1 and ORESS 2.1 respectively; the number of successful projects; and the total capacity of successful projects and the percentage share of total successful projects that are that are wholly or partly owned by ESB and its subsidiaries, in tabular form of. [42438/24]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) supports delivery of our Climate Action Plan target of meeting 80% of electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2030.
In 2023, my Department staged our first offshore wind auction under the RESS, known as ORESS 1. Of the six participants in the auction, four were successful and were awarded supports under the RESS. These four projects account for a total capacity of approximately 3.1 GW. None of the four successful projects involves ESB or its subsidiaries.
The two projects unsuccessful in the auction account for another 1.2 GW approximately. These two projects are pursuing an alternative, non-RESS supported route to market and if successful will contribute to our 2030 target of 5GW installed offshore renewable energy capacity in the same manner.
My Department's next offshore wind auction, known as ORESS Tonn Nua (formerly ORESS 2.1), is expected to take place in the first half of 2025. This auction will be for a single 900 MW site located in the South DMAP, recently approved by the Oireachtas.
|
ORESS 1 Successful Projects |
Capacity MW |
% ESB ownership |
|
Codling Wind Park |
1,300 |
Nil |
|
Sceirde Rocks Windfarm |
450 |
Nil |
|
Dublin Array |
824 |
Nil |
|
North Irish Sea Array |
500 |
Nil |
|
TOTAL |
3,074 |
|
