Statkraft and its offshore wind partner Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have welcomed today’s provisional results from Ireland’s first offshore wind auction in which they secured 500MW.
The partnership participated in the Irish government’s ORESS-1 (the first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) to win 500MW to develop the landmark North Irish Sea Array (NISA) offshore wind project off the east coast.
NISA was one of seven offshore renewable energy projects issued with a Maritime Area Consent last December.
The project, which is earmarked for an area off the coast of counties Dublin, Louth, and Meath, will have the capacity to power approximately half a million Irish homes and businesses.
Commenting on the results, vice president for development and offshore with Statkraft Ireland Donal O’Sullivan said: “Today’s announcement is a significant achievement for Statkraft and CIP – and a signal that Ireland is well on its way to a future powered by clean, renewable energy.
“We are delighted that we can now start to focus on the next steps for bringing this sustainable energy to people’s homes and businesses.”
Senior vice president for offshore wind with Statkraft David Flood added: “Today’s positive result means that we, alongside our partners, CIP, can continue to work apace to get our offshore project, NISA, off the ground and put Ireland firmly on track to a decarbonised future.”
Partner at CIP Nischal Agarwal said: “The 20-year contract provides a strong basis on which to continue the development of the NISA project which will contribute towards Ireland’s 2030 renewables target and unlock the potential of offshore wind in the market.”
In January, Statkraft announced a partnership with CIP to develop up to 2.2GW of offshore wind off the Irish coast. The joint venture saw CIP acquire a 50% stake in Statkraft’s offshore wind portfolio in Ireland.