Consultation on draft Innovation for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Policy Statement

The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback relating to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications' (DECC) draft Innovation for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Policy Statement. The purpose of this policy is to clarify the consenting pathways available for innovative electricity generation technologies in the offshore area and restate government's support for the development of innovative ORE approaches in Irish waters These approaches include test sites and pilot projects.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Future Framework Policy Statement, published in May 2024, set out Ireland’s ORE pathway beyond current projects in development and towards 2050. It included a number of actions that were identified as necessary to accelerate the rollout of ORE and emphasised a number of areas that would be essential to the sector going forward. Innovation was identified as one of the key areas for improvement that could help spur further development of ORE.

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Ireland has committed to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Great progress has already been made towards this hugely ambitious target, with a pipeline of fixed offshore wind farms already in development. However, it is clear that further advances and new innovations will be required to achieve full carbon neutrality.

There are a number of other ORE technologies that may play a part in our energy future, including wave energy, tidal energy, and floating wind. There are also a number of technological advances in components, manufacturing, operations and maintenance, and related areas. These advances may improve efficiencies, drive down energy costs, contribute to emissions reductions, and otherwise encourage the development of the ORE industry, including supply chain and related businesses, in Ireland.

This policy statement lays out DECC's approach to encouraging the development of ORE research and innovation in Ireland. This includes ongoing support for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Marine Institute, and Higher Education Institutions, who already provide funding and facilities for ORE research and innovation.

You are invited to provide your views on whether the aims laid out in this Policy Statement are sufficient to support ORE research and innovation in Ireland. Your feedback , will inform the development of the final policy to be published later this year.

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm on Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Submissions should be sent by email to OEFD@decc.gov.ie or by post to:

Offshore Environment and Future Development Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Tom Johnson House

Haddington Road

Dublin 4

D04 K7X4

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final version of the Policy Statement.

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

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