Ireland's government has given the green light for the terms of its second offshore wind auction, focused on the 900-MW Tonn Nua project. The auction process will begin with a qualification phase in Q1 2025, followed by the bidding phase in Q2 2025. The selected developer will receive a two-way contract for difference (CfD) to support the development of the offshore wind farm.
This marks Ireland's second offshore wind auction under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). The first auction, held in May 2023, secured over 3 GW of offshore wind capacity at an average price of EUR 86.05 per MWh.
Eamon Ryan, Ireland's Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, called the approval of Tonn Nua's auction terms a “hugely important milestone” in Ireland's push to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. He expressed confidence that Tonn Nua would build on the achievements of the 2023 auction.
The Tonn Nua auction will be the first under the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC DMAP), which is Ireland's initial spatial framework for offshore wind development. The SC DMAP outlines four areas along Ireland's south coast designated for offshore wind expansion over the next ten years.
