The Government is committed to the development of 5 gigawatts of installed offshore wind capacity, with projects in construction by 2030.
I am anticipating that the first planning determinations of our Phase One offshore wind projects will be made by An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year. Subject to approval, I believe we will see these projects move quickly from planning to procurement and construction and then to energisation in the early 2030s. As the Phase 1 projects are responsible for the construction of the offshore transmission assets related to their projects, the construction of these assets will proceed at the same pace as the wind farms.
Our commercial State ports have made significant progress regarding the development of infrastructure for the facilitation of offshore wind energy. I am advised that each port is expecting to have their proposed port infrastructure available in advance of demand from the Phase One developers.
For the Phase Two 900 megawatt Tonn Nua project off the coast of Waterford, EirGrid will be constructing the offshore transmission assets and is on track to make a grid connection available by 2033, as originally specified in the Tonn Nua auction terms and conditions.
I am also developing proposals for an auction for the second South Coast DMAP site, known as Lí Ban, with potential capacity between 900 and 1,500 MW. This site will bring the State's offshore wind capacity considerably beyond the 5 gigawatts offshore wind target and help mitigate any projects potentially not proceeding. Plans for the development of the remaining two South Coast DMAP sites will follow, and further sites will be designated as part of the National DMAP, contributing towards our longer range target of 20 gigawatts by 2040.
