Two National Guard members shot near White House
DUBLIN - A joint venture between ESB and Ørsted has secured provisional rights to develop the Tonn Nua offshore wind site following Ireland’s second offshore wind auction, according to a press release statement.
The Irish Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment awarded the rights to develop the 306 square kilometer site located off the coast of County Waterford. The project will involve a 900 MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm.
Under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) Tonn Nua auction, the joint venture secured a partially indexed 20-year contract for difference at a strike price of €98.719 per MWh. The agreement includes the right to apply for a seabed lease and grid connection.
The project remains in an early development phase with final investment decision expected around 2031 and first power generation anticipated in the mid-2030s. Ireland’s transmission system operator EirGrid will build the transmission assets, including offshore and onshore substations and export cables.
Alana Kühne, Head of Region Europe Development at Ørsted, said: "Offshore wind will play an important part in the future Irish energy system ensuring green, affordable and secure energy."
Jim Dollard, Executive Director for Generation & Trading at ESB, noted the project "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."
The next steps for the project include seeking a Maritime Area Consent and Marine Usage Licence from the Irish Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to begin surveying and assessment before submitting a planning application.
The Tonn Nua project represents the first offshore wind development site progressed to auction under the 50/50 partnership formed by ESB and Ørsted in 2023.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.