Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
209. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the offshore sustainable energy wind farm project known as north Irish Sea array SID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13077/25]
View answerMy Department's first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1) was held in 2023. The North Irish Sea Array (NISA) project was one of four projects that were successful in the auction and were awarded a Contract for Difference (CFD) under the Scheme. I understand that the project holds a grid connection offer for its planned 500 megawatt (MW) capacity and also holds a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) for the project area. I further understand that NISA applied on 7 June 2024 to An Bord Pleanála for planning consent and awaits a determination from the Board. Subject to planning consent, NISA, along with the other successful Phase One projects, is due to be operational by 2030.
