Ireland launches long-term offshore wind plans

When: Thursday 21 March, 15:00

Where: Ireland Pavilion (Hall 1, stand 1-G50)

Open to: All registered participants

Ireland’s Government to host a network reception at ‘Ireland Pavilion’ on recent policy announcements on its long-term offshore wind ambitions

At the WindEurope Annual Event 2024, Bilbao, officials from the Irish Government, with the Irish for Minister Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney in attendance via video link, will host a networking reception at the Irish Pavilion on Thursday 21st March, at 3pm – this will take place at the Irish Pavilion, Hall 1, stand 1-G50.

The reception will offer the opportunity to discuss two major future-focused offshore policies: Ireland’s National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind and The Future Framework Policy Statement for Offshore Wind.

The Future Framework Policy Statement is a long-term model and vision for offshore renewable energy in Ireland. The policy, which is set to be officially launched in April 2024, sets out the pathway Ireland will take to deliver 20GW of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37GW in total by 2050.

Ireland’s National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind, published in March 2024, will ensure that Ireland maximises the economic benefits associated with Government targets to deliver 37GW of offshore wind by 2050.

The first strategic roadmap within the industrial Strategy will focus on:

• Supply chains: Identification of measures to maximise Ireland’s participation in domestic and international offshore wind energy supply chains, including an assessment of risks and opportunities.
• Research, Development and Investment (RD&I): Setting out the main opportunities for Ireland in leveraging its intrinsic innovation potential as a small, open economy with very strong RD&I pedigree. The ambition is to develop a globally recognised RD&I ecosystem in Ireland to promote collaboration between SMEs, multinationals, and further and higher education institutes.

Ireland, a key emerging market in the offshore wind space, has been accelerating policy on renewable offshore wind energy. In May 2023, the results of Ireland’s first offshore wind auction, ORESS 1, underscored the State’s ambitions within offshore renewable wind energy. The highly competitive price secured — at an average of €86.05/MWh (megawatt hour) — is one of the lowest prices paid by an emerging offshore wind market in the world.