Ørsted, ESB To Deliver Upto 5 GW Renewable Energy in Ireland

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ESB, Ireland’s energy company and Danish clean energy major Ørsted have signed an agreement to jointly develop an Irish offshore wind portfolio.

With the agreement, which marks the most ambitious partnership in Ireland to date, Ørsted becomes a 50/50 partner in a pipeline of offshore wind development projects off the Irish coast. The partnership is expected to deliver up to 5 GW of renewable energy and complementary renewable hydrogen projects. The first of these offshore wind projects are expected to compete in the next Irish offshore wind auction, ORESS 2.1, said Ørsted.

Ørsted mentions that with a maritime area more than ten times the size of its landmass, Ireland is ideally positioned to grow a strong and vibrant offshore sector.

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The partnership also encompasses an agreement to explore opportunities from renewable hydrogen produced from the projects in the longer term. As per Ørsted, the collaboration aims to help deliver on the Irish Government’s 2030 target of installing 7 GW of offshore wind and ultimately support Ireland’s transition to net-zero.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Simon Coveney TD, said on the ESB and Ørsted deal, “We’ve signed into law an ambitious Climate Action Plan, which includes a 5 GW offshore wind target by 2030 with a target to generate 80 % of our electricity from renewable sources. This will be further supported by a National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind from my department.”

Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, said, “ESB is developing a large renewables pipeline, and as part of that has developed a strong portfolio of offshore wind projects around the coasts of Ireland. We are delighted to partner with Ørsted, a global leader in the offshore wind industry, in developing this portfolio in Ireland. Offshore wind in Ireland will play a key part in the delivery of the ESB Strategy, Driven to Make A Difference – Net Zero by 2040 and the announcement of this partnership with Ørsted is an important step in that journey.”

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Duncan Clark, Senior VP, Ørsted, held, “This partnership combines complementary strengths relevant to development in this market and creates an ideal platform for Ørsted to bring its global expertise in the delivery of offshore wind to bear in Ireland.”

In March 2023, acquired 160 MW solar power project ‘Garrenleen’ from renewables’ player Terra Solar in Ireland.