The Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD, has issued Maritime Area Consents (MACs) to the first phase of seven offshore renewable energy projects.
The award of MACs ensures that only projects with the greatest viability to deliver Ireland’s ambitious energy targets can progress into the planning system. The award of a MAC follows a comprehensive assessment, by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, into each project’s financial and technical competency. This approach enables all Phase One projects to begin their pre-planning application engagement with An Bord Pleanála. The award of a MAC also enables Phase One projects to participate in the ORESS 1, the first auction for offshore wind under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). ORESS 1 is expected to procure approximately 2.5GW of electricity generating capacity.
The government has designated the 375MW Oriel Wind Park proposed by Parkwind and ESB, Arklow Bank 2 proposed by SSE Renewables, and the 900MW Dublin Array proposed by RWE and Saorgus. Statkraft was chosen for its 500MW North Irish Sea Array, EDF and Fred Olsen for their 1.5GW Codling Wind Park (Codling 1 and Codling 2), and Corio Generation for its 450MW Skerd Rocks.
