Ireland has launched a consultation on a future framework for the development of offshore wind, outlining the path for the country to achieve 20 GW of offshore wind by 2040 and 37 GW by 2050.
The framework goes beyond Ireland’s 2030 targets to deploy 5 GW of offshore wind and 2 GW slated for the production of green hydrogen. It contains 21 key actions to develop a long-term, plan-led approach to offshore wind. The vision also explores the potential to export surplus renewable energy via increased interconnection and looks into opportunities for using excess renewables to supply products such as renewable hydrogen, ammonia or methanol to international markets.
The consultation on the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Future Framework Policy Statement will run till February 19, with a final version of the framework planned to be published in the spring.
“Last year was a landmark year for offshore energy in Ireland with over 3 GW of capacity, which will be delivered by 2030, procured from our first offshore wind auction,” Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said on Tuesday.
“The Future Framework expands that ambition further and maps out how Ireland can create a flagship offshore renewable energy sector to achieve our climate and energy targets beyond 2030…,” the minister added.
