Irish offshore wind ‘crucial’ in face of volatile fossil fuel prices

Speaking at the launch of the Offshore Wind Energy Programme Annual Report, Minister O’Brien said, “Recent volatility in international fossil fuel prices and supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East underline the importance for developing our own renewable energy – especially offshore wind of which Ireland has an abundance.

“Our unique offshore wind resource means there is sizable international interest in investing in our offshore energy development, as was proven by the state’s second offshore auction, which attracted strong international interest in recent months at a time when other auctions internationally were failing.” 

The Minister said the ‘undeniable success’ of the Tonn Nua auction “is a testament to the Irish government’s ongoing commitment to the offshore renewables sector and providing a stable policy environment to invest in.”

“The scale of our move away from fossil fuels is such that we need ongoing engagement and collaboration between government, industry and citizens,” said Minister O’Brien. “The Offshore Wind Energy Programme harnesses the collective energy and effort across 16 state departments and agencies, and this report reflects a year of coordinated action and momentum. 

“Looking ahead, we are focused on removing the remaining bottlenecks in planning, grid, and delivery. We need all sectors – public, private and community – to work together realise the full potential of offshore wind as a driving force for Ireland’s clean energy transition.”

Commenting on the report, Minister of State with special responsibility for marine Timmy Dooley said, “The Programme for Government recommitted our 5 GW near-term objective for offshore wind. As the primary policy vehicle for progressing this ambition, the work of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce is of utmost importance, and this report is evidence to what can be accomplished when agencies work together to deliver on an agreed, strategically aligned plan.”

The report produced by the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce presents key achievements, highlights, and challenges faced in 2025 across the taskforce’s nine cross-government workstreams, alongside actions to be delivered in 2026.

In 2025, work to develop the electricity grid to accommodate offshore wind continued and was boosted by the announcement of Commission for Regulation of Utilities’ Price Review 6. This allows for an historic investment in Ireland’s energy infrastructure of up to €18.9Bn between 2026 and 2030.

Key milestones outlined in the report include planning applications for all five Phase One projects in development off Ireland’s East Coast have been lodged with An Coimisúin Pleanála, with progress made towards first decisions. Their collective capacity of 3.8GW represents more than 60% of Ireland’s present peak electricity demand.

Other milestones include EirGrid’s engagement with the Phase One projects to integrate their future electricity generation, whilst also progressing actions to accommodate future electricity generation into the grid from the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (SC-DMAP). Tonn Nua was the first of four sites within the SC-SMAP to be brought to developer auction.

Others include publication of the Proposal and Public Participation Statement for a National Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP) which, when published in 2027, will provide for a plan and pipeline of offshore projects across Ireland’s entire maritime area; significant progress at Irish ports, including Port of Cork’s redevelopment, which is on track to be ready in 2026; completion of Ireland’s offshore wind industrial strategy; and implementation of an Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan.