The Irish government has announced the start of work to prepare a National Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP). This follows the approval of the South Coast ORE DMAP by both houses of the Irish parliament in October 2024.

“Having a single National DMAP will accelerate the process of site designation for offshore renewable energy,” said Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien.

Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine Timmy Dooley said: “As an island nation with an extensive maritime territory, Ireland has one of the best offshore wind resources in the world. Our seas offer an untapped natural resource which can be the cornerstone of our energy transition. The offshore wind space also has the potential to create thousands of jobs and new investment opportunities by 2030 and beyond.

The development of offshore wind projects, including floating offshore wind and other innovative technologies throughout our coastal areas, offers enormous economic opportunities for coastal communities, in terms of jobs growth and local community development. This strategic approach will also provide certainty to critical stakeholders, including the seafood industry, by providing long term clarity of proposed development areas.”

Ireland held its first offshore wind tender in 2023, awarding 3 GW and the second offshore wind auction is planned to start in the second quarter of 2025. The DMAP is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The Irish government aims to achieve at least 5 GW of installed offshore wind capacity to contribute to its target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.