A new consenting system for major offshore wind developments will provide certainty for developers while reducing electricity prices and reliance on fossil fuels over coming decades, according to Minister for Environment and ClimateThe new maritime regulation regime is being introduced in an attempt to fast track offshore wind projects deploying fixed and floating turbines, while increasing national energy security, he said.
Combined with dedicated offshore renewable energy auctions, where the cheapest power supplies would get contracts, it would ensure lower electricity prices, and “the more we build, the cheaper this becomes”. Developers must have a MAC with completed environmental assessments to make an application for permission to. A total of 5 gigawatts of offshore wind is planned for before 2030 – enough to supply power to 2 million homes.
He added: “The development of our offshore wind energy capacity will lessen, and eventually eradicate our dependence on imported fossil fuels, and bring an unprecedented reduction in CO2 emissions.”
IrishTimes Wind power is more expensive.