Wind industry welcomes landmark day for Irish energy security

10 Nov 2022

Wind Energy Ireland has warmly welcomed the publication this morning by Minister Eamon Ryan TD of the Terms and Conditions for Ireland’s first auction for offshore renewable energy.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “This is a landmark day for climate action and for Ireland’s energy security. Our members are ready to deliver and can now look forward to competing in an auction which will be completed early next year.

“The projects which succeed in that auction will be Ireland’s first new offshore wind farms in a generation. They will cut our carbon emissions and provide a secure source of power to millions of Irish electricity consumers.”

Delivery

Finalisation of the terms and conditions means that the Climate Action Plan target of opening the first dedicated offshore auction before the end of the year will be met.

Noel Cunniffe said: “This is what climate action delivery looks like. The Government, and Minister Ryan particularly, are giving confidence to industry that the targets in the plan will be met and that Ireland is moving from setting targets to delivering them.”

Consumers

Wind Energy Ireland also highlighted two provisions in the Terms and Conditions which will support Irish consumers.

Noel Cunniffe said “We want to deliver clean offshore wind energy at the best possible price for Irish electricity consumers. The Government’s decision to provide 20-year contracts and to index-link prices will give our members confidence and help to push down prices in next year’s auction.”