Results of Ireland’s first offshore renewable energy auction are expected to be published by EirGrid on Thursday (May 11).
The offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction invites developers of renewable energy projects to compete for contracts providing electricity at a guaranteed price.
Offshore’s first RESS involves the seven offshore wind projects which were fast-tracked for marine area consents (MAC) last year – six in the Irish Sea and one the Sceirde rocks projects, in north Galway Bay.
The system is similar to the two onshore auctions which have taken place to date - RESS 1 in 2020 and RESS 2 in 2022, with a third due this summer.
Once companies are happy with the contract terms, they are obliged to apply for planning permission.
Offshore planning is being handled by the new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA).
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has rejected the description of Ireland as a “laggard” in offshore wind energy.
He was responding to a University College Cork (UCC) report criticising what it identified as a lack of Government support for the offshore renewable sector.
The report, entitled “Innovation, Networking and Policy in the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector”, was compiled by the Cork University Business School in UCC.
It identified the main barriers for Irish companies in the sector as bureaucracy and regulation, insufficient support and engagement by government, along with a lack of funding.
Scientists, environmental and fishing representatives believe more research is required to measure the impact on marine habitats of offshore wind structures.