Ireland's Slide from Pioneer to Straggler in the Advancement of Offshore Wind Energy

Ireland's Slide from Pioneer to Straggler in the Advancement of Offshore Wind Energy

In the realm of offshore wind energy, Scotland's industry is vastly larger than Ireland's, with Scotland generating approximately 172 times the amount of electricity. This disparity is largely due to Scotland's ambitious government targets, strategic planning, and favourable conditions.

Today, 20% of Ireland's national income equates to about €80 billion. Yet, Ireland remains more reliant on imported fossil fuels than other countries. In contrast, Scotland's offshore wind industry is thriving, with 10 large offshore wind farms generating a cumulative capacity of 4.3 gigawatts (GWs) of electricity.

The story of Ireland's offshore wind sector begins with the opening of Arklow Bank 1 in 2005, the first offshore wind farm in the country. However, Scotland connected its first offshore wind farm to the grid three years later. Since then, Scotland has made significant strides, while Ireland's offshore wind industry has been slower to develop.

One of the key reasons for Scotland's success is the scale of its projects. Scotland hosts large-scale projects like the 4.1 GW Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, approved after over a decade of planning, with capacity alone dwarfing any Irish project. In contrast, Ireland's offshore capacity is much smaller; for example, the Neart na Gaoithe project near Scotland has 450 MW capacity, already large but far short of Scotland's gigawatt-scale ambitions.

Scotland's government has set very high targets, proposing up to 40 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, far exceeding Ireland’s current ambitions. This forward-looking policy framework creates certainty and encourages large investments. Scotland also benefits from existing onshore infrastructure, an established supply chain, and strong economic support compared to Ireland’s less developed offshore wind sector.

Projects in Scotland have strong backing from the Scottish government and involve joint ventures with companies from both Scotland and Ireland, bringing in significant investment. Public and community support mechanisms also encourage development.

Sites such as Berwick Bank enjoy favourable wind conditions and proximity to grid infrastructure, making them prime locations for large-scale offshore wind power generation. This strategic advantage, combined with Scotland's ambitious targets and supportive infrastructure, has contributed to its offshore wind industry's rapid growth.

In Ireland, the situation is different. The government's focus on onshore wind was intended to keep energy costs down, but it backfired. The slower-than-expected rollout of onshore wind projects has slowed the State's decarbonisation process. In 2011, the Irish government decided not to extend the main State subsidy for renewables to offshore or solar, essentially focusing on onshore wind.

Ireland currently has only one operational offshore wind farm (Arklow), with the same generating capacity (25MW). However, the Arklow offshore wind farm is currently closed for maintenance and does not generate any energy. The operator of Arklow Bank 1 is attempting to get planning permission to decommission the site.

On the other hand, Scotland is forging ahead. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme in Co Clare, which generated 80% of the Republic's power needs from renewable energy at one point. In contrast, Scotland's offshore wind industry is poised for continued growth, with another 1.3GW of offshore wind farms under construction and another 2.3GW about to be built.

It is suggested that Ireland should take command of some of these projects themselves rather than waiting for private investors. According to insiders, the Oriel wind farm project off the Louth coast won't have its turbines turning until at least 2031.

Wind Energy Ireland estimates that Ireland could phase out fossil fuels and become energy self-sufficient by generating 10.7GW from onshore wind, 5.5GW from offshore wind, and 6.1GW from solar. With the right policies and investments, Ireland could catch up to Scotland and reap the benefits of a thriving renewable energy sector.

References:

1. O'Sullivan, A. (2020, September 22). Ireland's offshore wind industry lags behind Scotland's. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/business/energy-and-resources/ireland-s-offshore-wind-industry-lags-behind-scotland-s-1.43598832
2. Doyle, L. (2020, September 22). Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm. Retrieved from https://www.renewableuk.com/offshore/projects/berwick-bank-offshore-wind-farm
3. Scottish Government. (2020, September 22). Scotland's Energy Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-energy-strategy/
4. Neart na Gaoithe. (2020, September 22). Retrieved from https://www.renewableuk.com/offshore/projects/neart-na-gaoithe
5. Wind Energy Ireland. (2020, September 22). Ireland's Energy Transition. Retrieved from https://www.windenergyireland.com/irelands-energy-transition/

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