In a significant commitment to advancing offshore wind energy in Ireland, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, announced that a second offshore wind auction will be held in 2025. Speaking at the Wind Energy Trade Show 2024, Ryan confirmed that this new auction would follow the upcoming auction for the Tonn Nua site off the coast of Waterford, scheduled for early 2025.
The Tonn Nua auction, part of the state-led ORESS (Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme) Phase 2, is a key step in the government's plan to boost offshore wind capacity. Tonn Nua, known as ORESS 2.1, is the first auction under this new phase. Meanwhile, the Li Ban site, also part of Phase 2, will be the focus of the second auction. The Li Ban site, located off the southern coast of Ireland, is significantly larger than Tonn Nua, with the potential to support a wind farm ranging from 1,100MW to 1,500MW, compared to the 900MW proposed for Tonn Nua.
Ryan stated that he hopes to see the Li Ban auction take place before the end of next year, signaling Ireland's commitment to accelerating the deployment of offshore wind energy. “This is a tremendous boost for Irish offshore wind energy. It sends a message that will be heard right around Europe, that Ireland is committed to offshore wind and determined to accelerate,” said Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland.
The announcement follows the recent approval of the Designated Maritime Area Plan by the Oireachtas, which identifies key offshore sites for development, including Tonn Nua and Li Ban, as part of Ireland's broader renewable energy strategy.
