Wind Energy Ireland has welcomed the provisional outcome of the auction for the 900-megawatt Tonn Nua offshore wind site, saying the result signals growing investor confidence in Ireland’s offshore sector.
The winning bid of €98.72 per megawatt-hour — submitted by an ESB-Ørsted joint venture — compared favourably with recent European auction prices, the industry group said. “Today’s auction is a great vote of confidence in Ireland as a place to invest for offshore wind energy,” chief executive Noel Cunniffe said.
Cunniffe said the project represents a major economic opportunity for Waterford and the wider south-east region. “Tonn Nua will deliver enormous volumes of clean, affordable, electricity for Irish consumers,” he said, adding that the organisation looks forward to working with the developers “to ensure the project is delivered and becomes the foundation of an offshore sector on Ireland’s south coast”.
While praising the design of the auction scheme, Cunniffe said uncertainty remains over the timeline for developing the remaining three sites in the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan. “There are three other sites off Ireland’s south coast which have been identified for offshore wind energy but there is no clarity on when, how or even if they will move forward,” he said. A national map of new sites is expected by the end of 2027, but Cunniffe warned that until then “further project development is effectively stalled”.
Wind Energy Ireland said the Tonn Nua site could generate enough electricity to power around 800,000 homes.
Grid operator EirGrid also welcomed the selection of Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC — the ESB-Ørsted venture — as developer in the government’s ORESS Tonn Nua auction. EirGrid has been tasked with delivering the transmission infrastructure needed to connect the project under the South Coast maritime plan.
“This announcement marks another milestone in Ireland’s offshore energy journey,” said Liam Ryan, EirGrid’s chief transformation, technology and offshore officer. Ryan said Ireland has “one of the best offshore wind and green energy resources in the world” and will play a central role in meeting future electricity demand. He added that EirGrid looks forward to working with the developers and government “to make this project a success and help drive Ireland towards a cleaner energy future.”
