Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
177. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the high-level offshore wind phase 2 ORE designated areas will be determined; if he will outline the criteria for determining the phase two ORE designated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/23]
View answerThe deployment of offshore wind under Phase Two will accelerate the procurement of additional offshore wind capacity required to meet Government’s target of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030. A Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind was published by my department on 7 March and outlines how the second auction for offshore wind under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 2) will launch by the end of 2023, following a public consultation on draft auction terms and conditions in mid-2023.
ORESS 2 will exclusively procure a set volume of offshore wind capacity for development within individual Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Designated Areas, which will be designated according to the legislative provisions for Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) in the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The location of ORE Designated Areas for Phase Two will be geographically aligned with available onshore grid capacity, in addition to being informed by environmental considerations including European sites and Marine Protected Areas. The process of developing ORE Designated Areas will provide opportunities for public participation and consultation, as well as requiring statutory environmental assessments.
EirGrid has identified the current available onshore grid capacity for further connection of offshore renewables of approximately 900 MW in total off the South coast of Ireland. The additional offshore wind capacity is intended to be split into two connections of approximately 450 MW each at different locations along the South coast. Phase 2 participants will compete for supports to develop 450 MW offshore wind projects within each of these areas, or a 900 MW project within a single ORE Designated Area.
ORESS 2 projects will require a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) to be eligible to apply for planning permission, with all MACs to be issued by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). The sequencing of consents and market supports will be outlined in the coming weeks to coincide with the publication of proposed ORE Designated Areas (according to DMAP requirements) and following further discussion between DECC, MARA and relevant stakeholders. However, should it be determined that holding a MAC will not be necessary for participation in ORESS 2, auction entry will nevertheless likely necessitate the same financial and technical competency requirements.
