Wind industry welcomes proposed sites for new offshore wind farms

The Irish wind energy industry has warmly welcomed the publication this morning of four new proposed locations for offshore wind farms to be located off the country’s south coast.

They were announced this morning by Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD at Wind Energy Ireland’s annual Offshore Wind Conference.

The locations were published as part of the Government’s draft Designated Maritime Area Plan for offshore wind energy on the south coast, which will now to go public consultation for six weeks.

One site off the coast of Waterford, named Tonn Nua, has been chosen for an auction to open before the end of the year.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Today is a genuinely historic day for the development of offshore wind energy in Ireland and clears the way for a second offshore wind auction before the end of the year.

“Irish people want clean energy, affordable energy and a secure supply of energy. This is what projects like Tonn Nua will deliver as well as enormous economic opportunities for the south coast of Ireland.”