Wind Energy Ireland warns that Ireland’s offshore wind aspirations are at risk. With €38 billion in the balance, urgent government intervention is required. Here’s what is breaking down — and what needs to change.
Ireland’s Offshore Wind Farms Are Danger!
Dublin, 27 May 2025 – Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) has issued a stark warning: country’s entire offshore wind portfolio worth €38 billion could be lost if the government does not act quickly. Offshore wind is in a state of flux. It comes as a major blow to offshore wind, as Germany warned two days ago that its wind farms could become a battlefield. It follows US President Donald Trump’s ban on wind projects, which the government was forced to lift under pressure.
However, not for the Irish.
A new Wind Plan for Offshore was formally unveiled at this year’s Conference in Dublin, setting out a path to save Ireland’s wind dream and rebuild confidence at home and abroad, which will be held again on 27 and 28 May at the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin.
The plan sets out the key government priorities needed to harness Ireland’s offshore wind potential and restore confidence in Ireland’s ability to build a competitive, sustainable and resilient offshore wind industry. While welcoming the government’s progress in recent years, the plan calls for swift action to deliver on these policy commitments to reflect the seriousness of the government’s commitment to the sector.
On the positive side, the document outlines a clear and practical plan for how the Irish government can support the delivery of offshore wind projects under development and sets out a long-term framework that provides certainty and stability for future development through 24 targeted actions across four delivery areas. But the clock is ticking. Let’s see!
What’s at Stake of €38 Billion Wind Investment?
Ireland has a huge opportunity to be a world leader in offshore wind. The industry could create more than €38 billion in economic value, bring energy independence and reduce carbon emissions, estimates suggest. But in view of the Action Plan, it is now the question whether that future is possible at all. Why?
Slow process of planning and permission
No investment into ports and grid infrastructure
Opaque government policy and bottleneck regulations
Inadequate funding for top state agencies
The Industry Is Ready. Is the Government?
Noel Cunniffe, the C.E.O. of Wind Energy Ireland said. “The industry is prepared to do its part but it is only possible with the political will and whole-of-government leadership,”
Cunniffe stressed that the 24 steps in the plan are not theoretical—they are crucial. Without them, there could be no offshore wind farms in Irish waters by 2030.
“We know what needs to be done,” he said. “We are now in a critical time frame”
“What we decide in the next year will decide whether we have boats in the water in 2030 — or miss our targets entirely.”
— Cunniffe
Areas Ireland Must Address Immediately:
Phase One Projects Are Delivered or Face Losing an Industry altogether
This obvious country’s wind energy ambitions will never take off if the first phase one projects don’t happen. These are the projects that we have to get first in the ground for us to reach the Government’s 2030 renewable electricity targets. No turbines in the water, no offshore industry — just promises.
The Government says it fully backs these schemes, but that means nothing to developers who are repeatedly held up, not least by the long and avoidable Read more: delays caused by the planning process. These should have been dealt with earlier with greater resourcing and pre-application engagement by the state authorities.
What must happen now:
- Urgent audit of manpower needs in all related state organizations.
- Government’s support for each Phase One project will be through strategic intervention and direct support.
- Acceleration of decision making to meet 2030 delivery deadlines.
And if planning delays continue through into 2026 there could be no Phase One projects for 2030 at all — leaving the country’s entire wind energy timeline going aground.
Construct the Enablers — Ports, Grid, and Demand Infrastructure
Ireland cannot simply erect offshore wind farms when it does not have the ports and grid infrastructure to sustain them.and these transport enablers are currently lagging well behind.
Ports:
Despite several announcements, Ireland still does not have sufficient port capacity for industrial scale offshore construction.” And if Irish ports are not upgraded soon, developers may have to look elsewhere — but discover that capacity is also limited there.
Grid & Demand:
For many next-generation projects, grid access remains uncertain. Even worse, there is no one way to match power generation to demand.
What must happen now:
- Site development should go hand-in-hand with reasonable grid capacities through TYNDP 2026.
- Create green energy parks and private wire opportunities in the south east and other priority coastal areas.
- Work with the IDA and DETE to develop >1 GW regional demand plans that draw in clean tech industry and provide offtake certainty.
Leveraging the South Coast DMAP – Opening Up the Next Wave of Projects
Country’s next significant offshore wind area is the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP). The projects in this region – Tonn Nua, Lí Ban, Manannán and Danu – must be scheduled and supported so pipeline is constant.
Tonn Nua (Site A):
This 900 MW project must qualify under ORESS 2 in 2025. But developers and investors are growing anxious about the lack of auction information and grid certainty.
Lí Ban (Site B):
Might be developed through ORESS or competitive MAC, so long as it is actually determined the grid can get there. EirGrid’s research should be fast-tracked.
Manannán & Danu (Sites C & D):
Should proceed in a MAC environment – but again, only if routeto-market (grid, private wire, etc.) is clear early on.
What must happen now:
- conclude auction times and grid commitments for Tonn Nua.
- Release grid studies for the southeast.
- Speed up the competitive MAC process.
- Allow hybrid and export-focussed project models.
Speed-up the National DMAP - A Vision of Long-Term Energy Security
The focus is on short-term projects, but Ireland has to think long-term. That means expediting the National DMAP to chart future offshore areas on the east, south, and west coasts— and in the wind industry’s case, that includes floating wind. This will have to take place without having it undermine the current projects but as a simultaneous process.
Key requirements:
- Resource the process: DECC needs to sub-contract aspects of this to external experts for speed and quality.
- MAC-first development model – place the risk- and timeline-reducing leasings and permitting ahead of auction.
- Site electricity demand planning: DETE should incorporate coastal demand hubs in line with future DMAP zones.
- Invest in floating wind demos: At least two demonstration sites need fast-tracking.
What must happen now:
- Start National DMAP rollout NOW!
- Tie it into grid planning, industrial strategy and export readiness.
- Provide the plan no later than 2027 so that developers and investors have clarity about the future.
These aren’t options. They’re imperatives. Ireland needs to advance on all four of these fronts at the same time to ensure its place as the clean energy economy of the future — and stop the €38 billion offshore wind opportunity disappearing in the fog of political inaction.
So… Who’s to Blame?
But while business leaders stay polite, the blame is now squarely placed on government inactivity. The decisions have lagged behind for years, and agencies have been starved of funding, with unclear policies, and the sector is frustrated.
If Irish authority does not act now, it risks not only environmental catastrophe, but also forfeiting an economic bonanza, a flight of investors and international humiliation.
Summary: Change the Policy, Fuel the Future
The Wind Action Plan sends a clear political signal: political ambition has to keep pace with Ireland’s renewable energy resource. Billions property and the country’s green future are at stake.
This is a moment for bold measures, real resources and some quick action.
