Offshore renewable energy projects offered grid connectivity
Seven offshore wind projects that applied for or have already been granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933, are eligible to be processed to receive a ‘valid grid connection offer’.
Announcing the details (May 19), Minister Damien English and Minister Richard Bruton said these companies have been designated as ‘Relevant Projects’*
Ireland’s Climate Action Plan commits to increasing offshore wind capacity to 3.5GW as part of its overall ambition to reach 70% renewable energy by 2030.
This transition phase means companies can continue to work and to update aspects of their projects, to be in a position to apply under the new marine planning regime that will be introduced by the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020.
This Bill is set to provide ‘a modern, up-to-date regulatory and marine planning framework for offshore renewable energy developments’ beyond the limits of the foreshore (12 nautical miles).
The Bill is described as an ‘important foundation for investment’ in the offshore renewable energy sector, as well as providing a more ‘transparent, participative system for all marine stakeholders’.
Planning regime
Minister Damien English said that a way forward for offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects will now be determined under the planning regime to be introduced in the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020.
“Under this new marine planning regime, these projects will apply for final development consent to An Board Pleanála [who] will provide further opportunities for public consultation on the individual projects.”
Richard Bruton, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, added that the announcement was a “clear development path” for these offshore wind projects which will play a “key role” in decarbonising Ireland’s electricity system:
“This is a clear example of the Government’s determination to deliver on our climate and renewable energy ambitions to deliver 70% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030.”
Approved projects
• Oriel Wind Park
• Innogy Renewables, (2 projects Bray and Kish Banks)
• Codling Wind Park, (2 projects, Codling I and Codling II)
• Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta, (Skerd Rocks)
• North Irish Sea Array Ltd, (North Irish Sea Array)
Background
Ireland’s landmass is roughly 70,000km2 and its sea area is approximately seven times that size, at 490,000 km2. Recognised as having one the best offshore renewable energy resources on planet, significant potential exists to utilise these resources to generate carbon-free renewable electricity.
Renewable energy will enable Ireland to enhance security of supply by substituting imported fossil fuels with indigenous renewable resources. It also provides business opportunities to potentially develop an export market in green energy.
Offshore wind is also set to play a key role in decarbonising Ireland’s electricity system and to meet climate and renewable energy ambitions.
While some initial applications were made under the 1933 Foreshore Act for ORE projects as early as 1999, the government of the day decided not to support offshore wind due to the high support costs necessary at that time.
Since then, development of larger and more cost-efficient offshore turbines, combined with climate and energy targets in the Climate Action Plan, has changed the economic, social and environmental policy drivers.
In January 2020, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, developed a Transition Protocol that would give guidance regarding the treatment of legacy projects in the context of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, 2020.
The Transition Protocol sets guidelines regarding the treatment of certain offshore wind projects (‘Relevant Projects’) that complement existing and on-going extensive dialogue with the project developers.
*Relevant Projects (DHP&LG & DCCAE)
(a) offshore wind projects that applied for (and substantially advanced) or were granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended (the Foreshore Act), in respect of which material changes are proposed to that which was originally applied for and assessed under the Foreshore Acts, which changes require further assessment; and/or
(b) offshore wind projects that have a valid connection agreement from Eirgrid or are confirmed by Eirgrid as eligible to be processed to receive a valid connection offer.
Given the progress made by certain ORE projects and the need for the State to develop offshore wind resources by 2030, the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill will include a legislative provision for a transition route for these projects.
This transition route gives ‘Relevant Projects’ a Planning Interest within the meaning of the MPDM Bill 2020, subject to the terms and conditions:
• continue environmental scoping exercises
• continue site investigations and surveys
• interact with Eirgrid on grid connection studies
• prepare and finalise environmental reports to accompany a planning application
Every offshore renewable project must complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for consideration by the planning authority. Large offshore wind projects, such as these, will be decided by An Board Pleanála.
Working with stakeholders, the government departments will develop statutory marine planning guidelines to support ‘best practice’ throughout the planning process, and include a specific ‘visualisation assessment’ in relation to design and layout.
