EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, has welcomed the announcement that Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC, a joint venture partnership between ESB and Denmark-based renewable energy developer Ørsted, has been selected as the developer in the government’s ORESS Tonn Nua Auction.
Once operational, this wind farm will generate 900MW of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly a million homes, and support Ireland’s climate action targets.
Producing 80% of electricity from clean renewable sources
As part of Ireland’s ambition to achieve our climate target of producing 80% of electricity from clean renewable sources, EirGrid has been tasked by government to deliver the transmission infrastructure needed to connect the power from this wind farm to the onshore grid from area A, Tonn Nua, of the government’s South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP).
The ORESS Tonn Nua auction is administered by EirGrid on behalf of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE).
Chief transformation, technology and offshore officer at EirGrid, Liam Ryan said: “This announcement marks another milestone in Ireland’s offshore energy journey. Ireland has one of the best offshore wind and green energy resources in the world and will play a pivotal role in meeting our growing energy needs. We look forward to collaborating with Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC and Government as we work together to make this project a success and help drive Ireland towards a cleaner energy future.”
Wind Energy Ireland has also welcomed the provisional results of the auction for the 900 MW Tonn Nua site off the coast of Waterford, describing it as a ‘great vote of confidence’ in Ireland for offshore wind investment.
The successful bidder, at a price of €98.72, is a joint venture between ESB and Orsted. This price compares favourably with results elsewhere in Europe over the last two years where some auctions have been unsuccessful.
Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Today’s auction is a great vote of confidence in Ireland as a place to invest for offshore wind energy. Tonn Nua will deliver enormous volumes of clean, affordable, electricity for Irish consumers and represents a huge economic opportunity for Waterford and the south-east of Ireland generally.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues in ESB/Orsted to ensure Tonn Nua is delivered and for it to be the foundation of a thriving offshore wind industry on the country’s south coast.
“The department deserves credit for a very well-designed auction system which has delivered for Irish consumers at a strong price.”
No clarity on pipeline
However, Wind Energy Ireland pointed out that there is no clarity on the timeline for future projects.
Cunniffe continued: “There are three other sites off Ireland’s south coast which have been identified for offshore wind energy but there is no clarity on when, how or even if they will move forward.
“The government plans to publish a national map of new sites by the end of 2027 but until that is produced the development of further projects is effectively stalled.
“That makes it all the more important that industry and the relevant State agencies work together to ensure we deliver Tonn Nua and the five other existing projects off Ireland’s east coast.”