Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan in Ireland
There is a vast amount of energy which can be harnessed from Ireland’s marine environment through offshore wind, wave and tidal energy technologies. There is potential not only to provide a significant contribution to Ireland’s domestic electricity requirements, but also to become a net exporter of electricity, supplying Britain and mainland Europe with a clean renewable source of electricity.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, as the competent authority, have requested that SEAI's Ocean Energy Development Unit, working in close collaboration with the Marine Institute, undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment of Offshore Wind and Marine Renewable Energy in Ireland.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, with input from SEAI and in parallel with the development of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, have prepared a draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) which describes the policy context for development of offshore wind, wave and tidal stream energy in Irish waters for the period to 2030.
In accordance with the EU Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment (“the SEA Directive”), a Strategic Environmental Assessment is being undertaken to evaluate the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the plans to develop offshore renewable (offshore wind, wave and tidal) energy in Irish waters.
For further information and guidance on SEAs, please follow the links below:
