Consultation on the offshore renewable energy (ORE) Future Framework Policy Statement

The consultation submissions have been published.

The aim of this consultation is to gather stakeholder feedback on aspects of the offshore renewable energy (ORE) Future Framework Policy Statement – an over-arching future framework for development of offshore wind in Ireland’s territorial seawaters and exclusive economic zone. This framework aims to deliver 20GW by 2040; and at least 37 GW in total by 2050.

Do you have thoughts on how Ireland should implement the long-term plan to ORE development? If so, you can take part in our public consultation on the CiviQ online consultation platform between 22 January and the extended closing date of 26 February 2024. We are looking for feedback on the draft Future Framework Policy Statement and its associated economic market analysis reports. We are also open to receiving feedback on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening process.

We particularly welcome views from ORE industry representatives including electricity suppliers, off takers and likely developers as well as anyone with an interest in the future of ORE development in Ireland.

The draft Future Framework Policy Statement establishes 21 key actions setting out future directions and intergovernmental dependencies that will be addressed through subsequent policies to develop and initiate the long-term, plan-led approach to Ireland’s ORE future.

The Future Framework policy is built on an analysis of economic opportunities to encourage investment and explores export potential for surplus electricity, energy, and green products and services specifically through increased interconnection and renewable hydrogen. Pathways have been identified to optimise the financial and economic return to the State and local communities, including financial mechanisms and job creation opportunities.

The Phase Two Policy Statement adopted by Government in March 2023 provides for a plan-led, centralised approach to future ORE delivery in Ireland. The final phase of offshore wind deployment is referred to as the Future Framework, which builds on previous ORE policy both published and in development and is informed by all previous public consultation carried out by DECC.

The Future Framework is key to:

• Decarbonising our economy in line with legally binding national targets and international climate ambitions
• Ensuring long-term energy security
• Developing green industrial opportunities for ORE such as export markets

The Future Framework policy statement is informed by economic analysis including a recent set of reports commissioned by DECC and provided by AFRY Managing Consultants and BVG Associates. The commissioned economic market analysis was conducted to assess the viability of ORE targets and potential export opportunities. External consultants AFRY and BVG Associates produced five reports focused on the following workstreams:

• WS1 – Market Analysis: create relevant power market scenarios with varying ORE capacity and interconnection targets for elaboration in subsequent workstreams
• WS2 – Interconnection: assess the technical and financial viability of electricity export via interconnection predominantly to France, the UK, and other northern European countries
• WS3 – Renewable hydrogen: analyse the potential hydrogen future in Ireland including maximising cost-competitiveness
• WS4 – Export viability: evaluate the export viability and implications in terms of Gross Value Added and employment benefits as well as policy, trade, and investment considerations
• WS5 – Societal return: provide commentary on the financial and economic return to the State and local communities including recommended regulatory mechanisms

To accompany the publication of the Future Framework Policy Statement public consultation, a screening report for SEA and Appropriate Assessment (AA) is being conducted by Mace Consultancy Ltd. The screening of this policy statement is ongoing throughout the duration of the public consultation process.

You can take part in our public consultation on the CiviQ online consultation platform.

Focus questions are included throughout the draft Future Framework Policy Statement and collated at the end of the document. Respondents are encouraged to consider these questions as well as any additional feedback on the Future Framework and/or the economic and environmental reports.

The closing date for submissions has been extended to 5.30pm 26 February 2024

Submissions should be made online, by email FutureFrameworkpublicconsultation@decc.gov.ie or by post to:

Future Framework consultation

Offshore Environment and Future Development

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29-31 Adelaide Road

Dublin 2

D02 X285

During the four week consultation period, we are organising two online public information sessions to raise awareness of, and get feedback on, the draft Future Framework Policy Statement and associated reports. The information sessions themselves will be hosted as online events.

Information Session 1: Thursday 1 February 2024 (14:00 – 16:00)

General information session and overview of the first three workstreams of the economic analysis (Market Analysis, Interconnection and Renewable Hydrogen).

Information Session 2: Tuesday 13 February 2024 (10:00 – 12:00)

General information session and overview of the last two workstreams of the economic analysis (Export Viability and Societal Return).

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

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 Future Framework 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

Publishing of responses

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

Please indicate any sensitive information

In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published. This can include:

• personal information
• commercially sensitive information
• confidential information

Read our Data Privacy Notice

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
• how we treat this information
• your rights in relation to the collection of personal information
• how you can exercise those rights

Industry Submissions

Group/Organisation Submissions

Public Body Submissions

Individual Submissions