First Irish ‘DMAP’ supports ‘next phase’ of offshore wind development

Kevin Collins of Pinsent Masons was commenting after the draft south coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) was published.

The draft south coast DMAP specifies a geographical area along Ireland’s south coast within which the Irish government envisages new offshore renewable energy projects – fixed rather than floating offshore wind – could be developed in a sustainable way.

Four new offshore wind projects are anticipated under the draft south coast DMAP, including an approximate 900MW capacity offshore wind farm in ‘Tonn Nua’, off the coast of County Waterford, with 2030 the target date for deployment. Further offshore wind projects are envisaged in the areas of ‘Lí Ban’, also off the coast of County Waterford, and ‘Manannán’ and ‘Danu’ – both off the south coast of County Wexford.

The area earmarked for development in the draft south coast DMAP has been identified following an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of development in the area, an analysis of environmental constraints, and detailed analysis of technical constraints. Factors such as sea depth, the availability of onshore grid capacity on Ireland’s south coast, and the population and industrial base along the coast, were relevant to the identification of the area.

DMAPs provide for a plan-led approach to development. In short, while it does not negate the need for developers to obtain development permission and carry out statutory environmental and habitats assessments, the plan provides a clear steer on the requirements they have to satisfy to clear the consenting process – the plan will inform the decision making of planning authorities.

DMAPs are envisaged to play an important role in enabling the Irish government to realise its long-term ambitions for offshore renewable energy generation. It hopes to scale up offshore capacity to 5GW by 2030, 20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050.  The proposed south coast DMAP is the first such DMAP the Irish government has prepared. Further DMAPs for the east, west, and north coasts of Ireland are expected to follow.

Collins said: “A high level version of the proposed new south coast DMAP was published last year. It went through strategic environmental assessment and some public consultation. The draft DMAP now announced specifies a more defined geographical area with greater details of the marine uses that will be accommodated within the DMAP area.”

“The significance of the publication of the draft south coast DMAP is that it kickstarts the next phase of Irish offshore renewable energy development. It is expected to be the first of a series of DMAPs in different parts of the maritime area, which together will form a plan for development offshore and for realising Ireland’s ambition for 37GW of offshore wind by 2050. DMAPs are expected to make the consenting journey easier for renewable energy projects because the DMAP area is effectively designated as a ‘go to area’ for renewable energy projects,” he said.

“The first phase of Irish offshore development is already well under way, with six long-established projects expected to apply for development permission in the next few weeks. Together, those projects are expected to deliver most of the 5GW target for 2030. Sitting behind those first phase projects are a huge number of projects in the pipeline, with developers vying for the opportunity to develop the next phase of Irish offshore renewable energy. Those developers have been waiting for more than a year for the details published in the draft south coast DMAP – to provide confidence that the next phase of development is happening and the certainty they need to make investment decisions,” he said.

“Publication of the draft south coast DMAP is therefore an important milestone in the development of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy industry and the success of the finalised plan will provide a good indicator of the prospects for Ireland realising its ambition to be a leading player in global offshore wind energy,” Collins said.

The draft south coast DMAP is open to consultation until 14 June.

Ireland’s minister for the environment, climate and communications, Eamon Ryan, said: “Since taking office, it has been a priority of mine and this government’s to overhaul the regulatory and legislative system so that we could get to this point. We can now plan to run an auction, and the winners can then proceed to deal with a brand-new purpose-developed regulator (MARA) before applying to An Bord Pleanála for development permission.”

“What is also critical is that at all stages of its development, the draft south coast DMAP has been informed and shaped by close co-operation with local communities and with consideration for all maritime activities, including fishing and seafood production and environmental protection. Now, I encourage people to engage again over the coming six weeks of further consultation. By 2030 and beyond, the development of offshore wind projects in the south coast DMAP areas will bring enormous economic opportunities for coastal communities, in terms of jobs growth and local community development,” the minister added.