Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
298. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind projects that have received maritime area consent but have not progressed due to port, grid or supply chain constraints; the estimated generation capacity involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the cumulative offshore wind generation capacity that is consented, planned or in development; the proportion dependent on grid or port infrastructure that is not yet operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9733/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated grid connection timelines for offshore wind projects currently in the development pipeline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9734/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 301 and 302 together.
Government is committed to having 5 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in development by 2030.
Five offshore wind projects off our East coast, with capacity of 3.8 gigawatts, are presently in development. Each of these projects hold a Maritime Area Consent and provisional grid connection offer and all five have submitted planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála and are preparing or submitting further information as requested by An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2025.
The first planning determinations are anticipated by the end of 2026. I expect that these projects will be in construction by 2030 and grid connected and operational by 2031/32. Each of these projects are responsible for the construction of the offshore transmission assets related to their project and are therefore in control of the construction timelines for these assets.
A consortium of ESB and Orsted won my Department’s second offshore wind auction and will be developing the 900-megawatt Tonn Nua project off the coast of Waterford. This project was the first of four to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP. The Tonn Nua project has submitted a MAC application and is awaiting a determination from MARA. Eirgrid is responsible for constructing the Tonn Nua offshore transmission assets and has committed to making a grid connection available by 2033, as specified in the Tonn Nua terms and conditions.
With respect to our commercial State ports, they are in ideal position to support the deployment of ORE, with developers now projecting planned commencement of construction circa 2029 or later. The commercial State ports have made significant progress regarding the development of infrastructure for the facilitation of ORE.
I am advised that each port is expecting to have their proposed infrastructure available in advance of demand from developers. The first phase of a multi-phase development at the Port of Cork’s Ringaskiddy facility will be available from mid-2026, well ahead of expected demand by ORE developers. Further infrastructure for the facilitation of ORE is in development and at the consenting stage at Rosslare Europort, the Port of Waterford, Port of Cork and Shannon Foynes Port Company.
