Irish Offshore Wind Targets at Risk Without Swift Government Action, Says WEI

Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions are facing a critical moment, with Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) warning that the country’s climate and energy targets could be missed unless the government acts swiftly and decisively.

The warning coincides with the launch of WEI’s new Offshore Wind Action Plan, unveiled during the opening day of the Offshore Wind Conference 2025, held on May 27 and 28 at the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin.

As per reports, the Action Plan sets out a series of targeted steps designed to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind projects currently in development and to build a stable, long-term framework for future investment. While it acknowledges the progress made by the government in recent years, the plan emphasizes that delays in implementation and insufficient resourcing threaten to derail the momentum needed to meet 2030 and 2040 energy targets.

The document outlines the urgent need to deliver existing projects and develop critical sites along the South Coast, including Tonn Nua, Lí Ban, Manannán, and Danu, while also speeding up the creation of a comprehensive pipeline for both fixed and floating wind developments through the National Offshore Renewable Energy Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP).

In addition to supporting project development, the plan calls for strategic investments in infrastructure such as ports and grid capacity, as well as clear policies to support industrial energy demand. It highlights the importance of properly resourcing planning authorities and state agencies at both local and national levels and stresses the need for clarity around grid access and offshore auction processes. WEI argues that these actions are essential to de-risking investment and ensuring projects are built on schedule.

Speaking at the conference, WEI Chief Executive Noel Cunniffe said the industry is ready to deliver but cannot move forward without strong political leadership and urgency. He described the plan as a blueprint to restore confidence at home and abroad in Ireland’s offshore wind potential, noting that the steps outlined are not theoretical but essential.

Cunniffe stressed that Ireland is now in a decisive window, and that what happens over the next 12 months will determine whether offshore wind farms will be under construction by 2030 and whether long-term targets can be achieved. He added that offshore wind has the potential to transform Ireland’s energy system, economy, and climate footprint, but warned that time is short and that the government must move quickly to provide the clarity, certainty, and infrastructure necessary to turn that potential into reality.