Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
182. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind turbines that are functional at present; if he will provide the most up to date figure for operational offshore wind capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFive offshore wind projects off our East coast, with planned capacity of 3.8 gigawatts, are at present in development, with the first planning determinations anticipated by the end of 2026. Subject to approval, I anticipate that these projects will be in construction by 2030 and operational by 2031/32.
In December 2025, I announced that a consortium of ESB and Orsted had won my Department’s second offshore wind auction and will be developing a 900 megawatt project off the coast of Waterford. I expect this project to be energised by 2033. This project was the first of four to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP.
I am currently 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. My Department is working closely with Eirgrid to develop grid connection options and is separately commissioning surveys of the Lí Ban site to inform the auction. I will make a formal announcement in the coming months but I expect the auction to take place in 2027.
My Department is also preparing plans for sites C and D within the South Coast DMAP and advancing the National DMAP in order to meet our 2040 targets.
