Offshore wind will play a crucial role in Ireland meeting its
climate targets and reaching 70 per cent renewable electricity by
2030. There are currently several challenges to be tackled to
ensure the timely development of Irish offshore wind projects, one
such challenge being the establishment of a policy framework for
the delivery of offshore grid in line with the National Marine
Planning Framework.
To assist in determining the suitable grid delivery model to be
adopted to facilitate the build-out of offshore wind in Ireland,
the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
(DCCAE) published a Consultation to Inform a Grid Development
Policy for Offshore Wind in Ireland in June 2020. The consultation
paper, and the accompanying report prepared by Navigant, outlined
four example grid delivery models, spanning from a fully
developer-led (centralised) model to a fully plan-led
(decentralised) model.
