Irish state-owned utility ESB and leading offshore wind developer Ørsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED) have formed a partnership that could deliver up to 5 GW of offshore wind energy in Ireland and associated green hydrogen projects.
In what is being hailed as a landmark deal, Ørsted will become a 50/50 partner in a pipeline of Irish offshore wind development projects, the companies announced today.
The agreement was unveiled in Cork by Ireland’s trade minister Simon Coveney, ESB’s Jim Dollard, and Duncan Clark, head of UK and Ireland at Ørsted.
The first of the projects that the partners will jointly develop are expected to take part in Ireland’s next offshore wind auction, ORESS 2.1. The country recently announced the results of its first offshore wind tender.
The companies will also investigate opportunities arising from producing hydrogen from the projects in the longer term.
The developments will contribute to the Irish government’s target of 7 GW of offshore wind by 2030, the two said.
Simon Coveney stated the government is committed to developing a strong offshore wind sector. “We’ve signed into law an ambitious Climate Action Plan, which includes a 5 GW offshore wind target by 2030 with a target to generate 80% of our electricity from renewable sources. This will be further supported by a National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind from my department,” he added.
This week also saw a floating offshore wind partnership in Ireland between EDF Renewables and Simply Blue Group.
