Minister O’Brien announces publication of Future Framework 2025 Review and Offshore Wind Technical Resource Assessment
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has announced the publication of the Future Framework 2025 Review, which highlights significant milestones in Ireland’s journey towards becoming a global leader in offshore renewable energy (ORE).
Ireland has ambitious targets. The availability of abundant, reliable green energy will drive clean, sustainable growth in energy-intensive sectors, together with numerous opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications launched the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy in May 2024. The framework is the long-term model and vision for ORE in Ireland. It sets out a roadmap for reaching our long-term ambitious targets and includes a set of 29 medium-term actions to kickstart our long-term offshore energy policy. The review also includes an updated action plan for the coming year – which will reaffirm the government’s commitment to its ORE ambitions.
One significant action to have been completed is the National Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore renewable energy, which was approved by government earlier this month. The National ORE DMAP forms part of a Programme for Government commitment to ‘Fast-Track Offshore Wind Development’ and the plan will designate sites around Ireland’s entire sea area to meet Ireland’s target of 20 GW of offshore renewable energy by 2040.
Offshore Wind Technical Resource Assessment also published by Department
Another landmark achievement within the Future Framework Review is the publication of the Offshore Wind Technical Resource Assessment, also announced today by Minister O’Brien. This assessment provides a detailed analysis and recommendations for the development of commercial fixed and floating offshore wind around Ireland’s coast. It’s an important initial step and provides an evidence base for future designation of ORE sites around Ireland coastline.
The assessment concludes that there could be an additional 3.5-18GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind that could be reasonably developed around the coast, which is additional to the 8GW of offshore wind already planned in Ireland between the Phase One projects and the South Coast DMAP. The analysis also explores the evidence base for the development of at-scale floating offshore wind in Irish waters and a floating offshore wind demonstrator site respectively.
In keeping with international market projection, the assessment shows that at present, fixed-bottom wind is less expensive than floating wind at all locations where it can be technically developed. Thus, for affordability reasons, it concludes that the development of fixed offshore wind should be prioritised over floating offshore wind in the near term, while anticipating floating technology to commercialise.
Commenting on the Future Framework 2025 Review, Minister O’Brien said: 'One year on from the launch or the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy, this annual review shows that significant progress has been made over the last year as we plan Ireland’s long-term offshore wind future. Renewable energy projects are poised to revolutionise our economy, offering significant regional and national economic benefits while giving us more control over our energy sovereignty.
'The Future Framework is delivering and evidenced-based approach and this is key to realising our energy potential. Much of the technology needed to harness our Atlantic’s enormous potential is still being developed globally. This long-term model will ensure that we are ready for all potential future offshore renewable energy sources, including fixed and floating wind, wave and tidal renewable energy.
'An all-of-government approach is being taken to deliver on our offshore wind ambitions. Government will continue to work alongside industry to strive for the successful achievement of all actions and commitments under the Future Framework and to deliver a sustainable and prosperous offshore renewable energy industry.'
Commenting on the publication of the Technical Resource Assessment, Minister O’Brien said: 'The Offshore Wind Technical Resource Assessment is an important initial step as we look to designate offshore wind sites along our coastline, by providing a high-level assessment of potential areas for project development to inform planning. An in-depth marine spatial planning process will then be completed, as my department starts work on the development of the National Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy, which will designate sites for offshore renewables along our coastline.'
The publications can be viewed on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.
Source: Department of Environment, Climate and Communications
