The Irish government has approved the final terms and conditions for its first offshore wind auction ORESS 1.
The round will open next month and award contracts to 2.5GW of capacity from 4.5GW of phase 1 fixed-bottom projects.
Final auction results will be published by June 2023.
Energy Department DECC said the approval is a “seminal moment in the delivery of offshore wind in Ireland”.
It said as part of the terms and conditions all offshore wind projects developed via ORESS will be required to make Community Benefit Fund contributions, from construction phase and continuing for the duration of the support period, typically for a total period of 25 years.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan, said: “The publication of these ORESS 1 Terms and Conditions is another massive step forward – for offshore wind, for Irish climate leadership and towards Ireland’s future as an international green energy hub.
“The first stage of this transformative auction will start before Christmas and it sets us on a path to powering many more of our homes and businesses from our own green energy resources over the coming years. It follows the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act last year, and the announcement regarding the awarding of Maritime Area Consents to Phase One projects last month.”