The three parties close to forming Ireland’s next government have promised a “revolution” in renewables to include annual capacity auctions and a beefed-up 5GW offshore wind target.
Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party (pictured) have published a coalition agreement that commits the state to “rapid decarbonisation” of the energy sector.
The parties will aim to hit “at least” 70% renewable electricity by 2030, including holding a first auction under new support scheme RESS for onshore wind and solar this year as well as annual rounds thereafter.
In offshore, the parties have promised a “whole of government” plan that will “set out a path to achieving 5GW capacity” off the east and south coasts by 2030, up from the current 3.5GW target.
“We will also produce a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage as a county of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast,” states the agreement.
“This plan will set out how Ireland can become a major contributor to a pan-European renewable energy generation and transmission system, and taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our deeper waters in the Atlantic.”
A separate offshore wind auction will be held in 2021, according to the trio, while various policy measures for that sector including enacting new consenting laws within nine months are included in the text of the agreement.
Negotiating teams from the three parties and their respective leaders, including former Energy Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, put the agreement together.
The three parties must now secure the backing of their wider parties over the coming days to rubber stamp the coalition and form the administration.