Consultation opened for offshore wind grid development in Ireland

By: Tom Russell Published by 4C Offshore 10/06/2020

The Irish Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) has opened a consultation on the grid delivery system for offshore wind in Irish waters.

Ireland aims to develop at least 3.5 GW of offshore wind energy, as published in the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in June 2019.  To meet these targets Government has to put in place a policy framework for the delivery model for offshore grid in alignment with National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF).

The CAP established a working group on the framework for offshore electricity grid, chaired by DCCAE.  The CAP also directed EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator (TSO), to develop an Options Paper on offshore grid models. Eirgrid engaged consultants, Navigant, to prepare a report which together with this consultation will help inform this policy framework.

It is important that a timely decision is made to determine which grid delivery model will be adopted in Ireland, to ensure preparations for this model can commence in time such that the 2030 renewable targets are achievable.

The consultation paper is not intended to provide a decision on the best available option, but rather to present evidence that informs the decision for a grid delivery model suitable for offshore wind development in Ireland.  Further, though four models are outlined in the Navigant report underpinning this consultation, these models were chosen purely as examples to explore the advantages and disadvantages, from the various stakeholder perspectives, of the various approaches available.  The ultimate choice of grid delivery model will come from any point along the full spectrum of options available, informed by careful consideration of the key drivers in the Irish context.

Based on the policy framework ultimately selected by Government, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will similarly consult and decide on a regulatory framework for offshore wind.

The consultation will close at 5pm on Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

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