Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has announced additional funding of over €1m for the Irish Environmental Network (IEN).
The funding will enable environmental NGOs actively involved in the marine environment sector to build their capacity and secure additional expertise in areas critical to the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions.
These areas include marine science and research, the offshore wind planning system, and public engagement.
The IEN is a network of environmental NGOs that work to protect and enhance the environment.
The funding will support environmental NGOs such as Birdwatch Ireland, Coastwatch Ireland, Bat Conservation Ireland and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Increasing the resources of environmental NGOs will make an important contribution towards achieving effective future maritime spatial planning within Ireland’s seas and oceans, and the establishment of a new ‘plan-led’ regime for offshore wind development.
Under this plan-led approach, future offshore wind developments will be located in Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs, which have been established by the State, in cooperation with key stakeholders, including local communities, those involved in the fishing industry, and environmental NGOs.
This will include the establishment of Ireland’s first offshore renewable energy DMAP, which will identify marine areas for future offshore wind projects off the south coast of Ireland.
This includes marine areas suitable for deployment of offshore wind by 2030 and post-2030. The additional funding announced today will ensure that environmental NGOs can contribute towards the establishment of future DMAPs, through participation in periods of public consultation.
This will include a forthcoming second period of public consultation for the South Coast DMAP scheduled for early 2024.
Ryan said: “An appropriately resourced environmental NGO sector is central to our ongoing work to accelerate the delivery of offshore renewable energy.
“In particular, the work of environmental NGOs in the areas of conservation, public awareness and education, will make an important contribution towards the establishment of future offshore DMAPs.
“This funding will help to ensure that development for offshore wind takes place in a manner that is sustainable and consistent with environmental protection, including protection of biodiversity, and the conservation objectives of protected sites, species or habitats.”