EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, has today welcomed the announcement that Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC, a joint venture partnership between ESB and Denmark-based renewable energy developer Ørsted, has been selected as the developer in Government’s ORESS Tonn Nua Auction.
Once operational, this wind farm will generate 900 MW of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly a million homes, and support Ireland’s climate action targets.
As part of Ireland’s ambition to achieve a climate target of producing 80% of electricity from clean renewable sources, EirGrid has been tasked by Government to deliver the transmission infrastructure needed to connect the power from this wind farm to the onshore grid from area A, Tonn Nua, of Government’s South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP).
Response to auction results
The ORESS Tonn Nua auction is administered by EirGrid on behalf of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE).
Responding to the auction results Chief Transformation, Technology and Offshore Officer at EirGrid, Liam Ryan said, “This announcement marks another milestone in Ireland’s offshore energy journey. Ireland has one of the best offshore wind and green energy resources in the world and will play a pivotal role in meeting our growing energy needs. We look forward to collaborating with Helvick Head Offshore Wind DAC and Government as we work together to make this project a success and help drive Ireland towards a cleaner energy future.”
Jim Dollard, Executive Director Generation & Trading at ESB, commented: “ESB is delighted with the outcome of the ORESS Tonn Nua auction. It secures a clear pathway for the development of a significant project off the coast of County Waterford marking another important step toward Ireland’s renewable energy and Net Zero ambitions. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver a project that provides significant energy security and price certainty for Irish consumers.”
Alana Kühne, Head of Region Europe Development at Ørsted, said: “We commend the Irish government for running a successful auction continuing the support for the development of offshore wind in Ireland. Offshore wind will play an important part in the future Irish energy system ensuring green, affordable and secure energy. We will continue to work with our joint venture partner ESB to carefully assess and progress this early-stage development opportunity, including ensuring that the project lives up to our value creation criteria.”
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