ESB & Ørsted Forge Partnership for Irish Offshore Wind
By Strategic Research Institute on Jun 14, 2023 10:38 am
ESB, Ireland's leading utility, and Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to jointly develop an extraordinary portfolio of offshore wind projects along the Irish coast. The historic agreement was officially launched at Fitzgerald House, hosted by the Cork Chamber, and witnessed the presence of Simon Coveney TD, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Jim Dollard from ESB, and Duncan Clark, Head of UK and Ireland at Ørsted.
This remarkable collaboration establishes Ørsted as an equal 50/50 partner in a pipeline of offshore wind development ventures. The partnership holds immense potential, aiming to deliver up to five gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy and complementary renewable hydrogen projects. The first of these ambitious offshore wind projects is expected to participate in the upcoming Irish offshore wind auction, known as ORESS 2.1.
Ireland, with a maritime area more than ten times its landmass, is uniquely positioned to cultivate a robust and dynamic offshore sector. This development will play a vital role in decarbonizing the Irish electricity system and facilitate future exports of renewable energy to Europe. The partnership also encompasses a commitment to explore opportunities in renewable hydrogen produced from these projects, contributing to Ireland's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Minister Simon Coveney TD expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "The Irish Government is fully committed to fostering a thriving offshore wind sector, which will provide abundant clean and secure renewable energy. Our Climate Action Plan enshrines ambitious targets, including a 5 GW offshore wind goal by 2030 and generating 80% of our electricity from renewable sources. Today's announcement reflects strong confidence in Ireland's sustainable future and marks a significant milestone in building an indigenous energy system that is secure, affordable, and clean."
Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation & Trading, highlighted the substantial progress made by ESB in offshore wind, collaborating with leading energy companies and establishing a substantial offshore footprint across Ireland and Great Britain. He emphasized ESB's commitment to developing a robust renewables pipeline and expressed delight in partnering with Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, to advance this portfolio in Ireland. Offshore wind will play a pivotal role in ESB's strategy, "Driven to Make A Difference - Net Zero by 2040," and this partnership marks a significant step in that journey.
Duncan Clark, Senior Vice President and Head of UK and Ireland at Ørsted, acknowledged the strong onshore portfolio already held by Ørsted in Ireland and expressed excitement about venturing into the Irish offshore market with ESB, a company that has played a vital role in bringing electricity to Ireland. This collaboration leverages complementary strengths and creates an ideal platform for Ørsted to bring its global expertise in offshore wind development to Ireland. Ørsted has been a driving force behind the commercialization of the offshore wind industry worldwide, and this partnership aligns with their vision of creating a world powered entirely by green energy, from the world's first offshore turbine to the largest operational offshore wind farm, Hornsea 2.