SSE seeks Irish offshore support

SSE has called on the Irish government to set up a specific support scheme for offshore wind.

Managing director in Ireland Stephen Wheeler said the country needs to “fast-forward” the large-scale build out of renewables “and offshore wind is ready to deliver”.

Wheeler, writing in today’s Irish Independent, said “creating investor confidence is crucial”.

Dublin is currently mulling plans to run technology neutral auctions that would pit offshore wind against onshore wind, solar and biomass. A final public consultation closes later this week.

“Can we really afford not to create the investment environment for offshore wind energy? Ireland has one of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world; yet we are the only country in Northern Europe not currently developing offshore capacity,” he said.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grasp the transformative effect that investment in offshore wind can deliver for Ireland. In doing so, we can support ongoing economic development, help achieve our decarbonisation targets, and provide continued security of supply,” Wheeler added.

Image: SSE