The Second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II): Public consultation

We are developing the second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) – Ireland’s new national spatial strategy for our offshore renewable energy future.

This is one of the key building blocks of the future, long-term model for the offshore renewable energy sector in Ireland. This long-term model and vision for offshore renewable energy in Ireland is called the Enduring Regime.

Under the Enduring Regime, the State will ensure that the economic, environmental and societal benefits of ORE are realised for everyone. This includes choosing the right offshore technology to use in the right places through the OREDP II. There are other key steps in building the enduring-regime such as the Hydrogen Policy, Interconnector Policy and Economic Assessment, which are currently being progressed.

OREDP II is key to:

• meeting our future energy demands
• transforming our economy and industry
• achieving net-zero carbon emissions
• protecting our environment
• shared use of our seas

Download the full draft OREDP II.

Download the OREDP II brochure and infographic.

The OREDP II will provide a high-level framework for the long-term, sustainable and planned development of Ireland’s immense wind, wave and tidal renewable energy resources. Ireland’s maritime area is very large: in some places, it extends up to 370 km from the shoreline. Areas of our seas that are suitable for harnessing renewable energy must be identified, and we also need to consider how ORE development may interact with other maritime uses and biodiversity.

The OREDP II will set out a framework for where offshore renewable energy will be developed in the future, as part of the enduring regime.

Do you have thoughts on how Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources should be harnessed? If so, you can take part in our public consultation by filling out the online survey between 24 February 2023 and 20 April 2023. A printable version of this survey is available to download.

The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback on the draft OREDP II and its associated environmental assessment reports. We also hope to gain insights into attitudes towards offshore around Ireland.

We particularly welcome views from local tourism, fishing, leisure and sports organisations or anyone with an interest in Ireland’s maritime resources.

The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm on 20 April 2023.

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

Offshore Environment and Consenting Division, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29 – 31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285.

A copy of the Draft OREDP II and the SEA Environmental Report is available to view by appointment at the offices of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (at the above address). Alternatively, the documents may be viewed by appointment at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland at 3 Park Place, Hatch Street, Dublin, D02 FX65. Please email OffshoreEnergyConsultation@decc.gov.ie or call 01 678 2000 to arrange a viewing.

We are organising a range of online and in-person events and community outreach opportunities as part of the OREDP II public consultation to raise awareness of, and get feedback on, the draft OREDP II and associated environmental reports.

Six stakeholder workshop events will be held around the country. Please note that capacity at workshops is limited and advance registration is required at the links provided.

• Douglas, Co. Cork - Rochestown Park Hotel –6 March at 2pm Register
• Killybegs, Co. Donegal – Tara Hotel – 13 March at 2pm Register
• Foynes, Co. Limerick – Foynes Yacht Club – 14 March at 2pm Register
• Ros a Mhíl, Co. Galway – Coláiste Chamuis – 23 Márta at 2pm Register
• Dundalk, Co. Louth – Crown Plaza Hotel – 24 March at 11am Register
• Arklow, Co. Wicklow – Arklow Bay Conference, Leisure and Spa Hotel – 14 April at 11am Register

Register now for the online consultation event for the general public taking place on 21 March 2023 from 6.30pm - 8pm.

Other online stakeholder workshop events to be held will be by invitation only.

A digital version of the OREDP II Environmental Report has been produced to support this public consultation. Through a 360-environment and videos, the Digital Report explores the Strategic Environmental Assessment, including its key findings, its process to date and next steps. A survey is available in the digital report for feedback on the SEA Assessment specifically.

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. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II is published.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.

To view the consultation click the button below.