The Irish Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has provisionally awarded the Tonn Nua offshore wind site to a joint venture between Ørsted and ESB. The site, off the coast of County Waterford, covers 306 km² and has been designated as the only location for bidders under Ireland’s second Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).
The auction provides a partially indexed 20-year contract for difference, along with rights to apply for a seabed lease and grid connection. The agreement supports the development of a 900 MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm at Tonn Nua.
Next steps include securing a Maritime Area Consent and Marine Usage Licence from the Irish Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to begin surveying and assessment prior to submitting a planning application.
The two-way contract for difference has been set at a strike price of EUR 98.719 per MWh and will run for 20 years from commissioning, expected in the mid-2030s. EirGrid, Ireland’s transmission system operator, will construct the offshore and onshore substations and export cables. The wind farm must be operational by 1 January 2037 under the CfD terms, with a final investment decision anticipated around 2031 and first power in the mid-2030s.
