Published: Thu, 20 February 2025
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MEP for Ireland South and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, Sean Kelly, has urged Ireland’s new Minister for Energy, Darragh O’Brien, to make the delivery of Ireland’s Phase 1 offshore wind projects a critical priority for his Department. Highlighting the transformative impact of these projects on Ireland’s energy security, competitiveness, and transition to net zero, MEP Kelly called for urgent action from the Minister to ensure they are accelerated.
“Ireland’s offshore wind sector is central to Ireland being a competitive, net zero, and energy-independent economy,” noted Mr. Kelly. “At a time of volatile electricity prices, these projects offer price stability and security of supply for Irish homes and businesses.”
MEP drew attention to the fact that the 2023 Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS1) auction delivered highly competitive prices at an average of €86 per MWh. In stark contrast, the average Irish Day-Ahead electricity market price in 2024 was nearly €100 per MWh, while the 2025 average so far has been €168 per MWh—almost double the ORESS price.
“This means the Phase 1 offshore wind projects will provide Irish energy users with clean, renewable electricity at a lower price than the current market is delivering. Ensuring their swift completion is vital for affordability and competitiveness,” Mr. Kelly stressed.
One of the flagship projects in Ireland’s offshore pipeline is Codling Wind Park, located off the coast of County Wicklow. With a planned installed capacity of 1.3GW, Codling will be the largest electricity generation project in the history of the state, surpassing Moneypoint in capacity. Once operational, it will generate enough affordable electricity to power over one million Irish homes annually. Additionally, its €200 million community benefit fund will provide significant investment into local communities in Wicklow over the project’s lifetime.
Other successful projects from the ORESS auction—including Dublin Array, North Irish Sea Array (NISA), and Sceirde Rocks—will also play a crucial role in bolstering Ireland’s renewable energy capacity. Meanwhile, the Arklow Bank and Oriel projects, which will operate through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with large energy users, will help decarbonise industrial electricity consumption and enhance security of supply.
MEP Kelly warned that the biggest risks to these projects are delays in the planning system, and called on Minister O’Brien to ensure all arms of the state work in unison to help get them constructed and generating electricity.
“We cannot allow these vital projects to be delayed by prolonged planning processes and state-issued licensing bottlenecks,” Mr. Kelly said. “An Bord Pleanála must prioritise these projects and deliver speedy planning decision in line with the European REPowerEU principles. We are still in an energy crisis—these offshore wind projects must be accelerated, not stalled.”
Furthermore, judicial review challenges pose a significant risk to delivery timelines. “Delays mean higher costs and greater uncertainty. All processes must be streamlined, and we cannot have these projects held up by objectors. These are critical national infrastructure projects, and they must be treated as such by Government, with prioritisation, resourcing, and acceleration.”
In addition to fast-tracking offshore wind development, MEP Kelly called for stronger political commitment to delivering EirGrid’s Shaping Our Electricity Future strategy.
“There is no point in having offshore wind farms ready to deliver power if our electricity grid isn’t prepared to accommodate them,” MEP Kelly said. “EirGrid’s strategy must be implemented in full, with Government ensuring the necessary grid reinforcements progress swiftly through planning.”
Concluding, MEP Kelly reiterated the urgent need for action. “Ireland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a European leader in offshore wind, driving down energy prices while ensuring energy security and sustainability. But this can only happen if the Government treats these projects as the national priority they are. Minister O’Brien must ensure these projects are delivered—on time, and without unnecessary delay.”
