Statkraft secures 500 MW in Ireland’s first offshore wind auction

Statkraft and its offshore partners Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have welcomed today’s provisional results from the State’s first offshore wind auction in which they secured 500 MW. 

The partnership participated in the Government’s ORESS-1 process to win 500 MW to develop the landmark North Irish Sea Array (NISA) offshore wind project off the east coast. NISA was one of seven offshore renewable energy projects issued with a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) last December.

The project, which is earmarked for an area off the coast of counties Dublin, Louth, and Meath, will have the capacity to power approximately half a million Irish homes and businesses.

Commenting on the results, Donal O’Sullivan, VP for Development and Offshore with Statkraft Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement is a significant achievement for Statkraft and CIP – and a signal that Ireland is well on its way to a future powered by clean, renewable energy. We are delighted that we can now start to focus on the next steps for bringing this sustainable energy to people’s homes and businesses. 

“Ireland’s maritime area is ideal for large-scale offshore wind energy production. The time has come to start harnessing that power to futureproof Ireland’s energy supply and help tackle a changing climate. As we progress to the planning stages of the project, we will continue to work with local stakeholders such as residents, businesses, and the fishing community, as well as An Bord Pleanála.”

David Flood, Senior VP for Offshore Wind with Statkraft, added: “Being successful in Ireland’s first offshore auction is a truly momentous event – not just for Statkraft, but for the entire country. Ireland’s energy security and our collective future climate depend on the ability to harness the clean, renewable energy like the vital resource which currently remains untapped off the Irish coast. Today’s positive result means that we, alongside our partners, CIP, can continue to work apace to get our offshore project, NISA, off the ground and put Ireland firmly on track to a decarbonised future.”

Nischal Agarwal, Partner in CIP, said: “We are very pleased with the successful outcome which is an important milestone for us and our partnership with Statkraft. The 20-year CfD (Contract for Difference) provides a strong basis on which to continue the development of the NISA project which will contribute towards Ireland’s 2030 renewables target and unlock the potential of offshore wind in the market. The Irish Government must be commended for implementing a reliable framework to deliver competitively priced offshore and we look forward to moving the project forward in collaboration with national and local stakeholders.”

In January, Statkraft announced a partnership with CIP to develop up to 2.2 gigawatts of offshore wind off the Irish coast. The joint venture saw CIP acquire a 50% stake in Statkraft’s offshore wind portfolio in Ireland.