Offshore Energy Grid Infrastructure - South Coast Public Consultation EirGrid

Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 24th January 2025 

EirGrid has launched a consultation on plans to develop transmission grid infrastructure for connecting offshore wind farms along Ireland's south coast. The project aims to support Ireland's target of producing 80% of electricity from renewable sources. 

The consultation seeks feedback on proposed onshore and offshore station locations, landfall sites, and grid connection points across Cork, Waterford and Wexford. The infrastructure will have capacity to bring 900 megawatts of renewable electricity to the national grid. 

Public information sessions will be held both in-person and online during November, December and January. These events will provide details about community benefits, including the establishment of a local stakeholder forum. 

The project is part of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 2.1) within the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan. Construction is expected to begin later this decade, following studies and consent processes. 

Submissions can be made online or by post. EirGrid encourages local communities, maritime stakeholders, and businesses to participate in shaping this infrastructure development. 

The Public Consultation Institute of Ireland (PCII) is committed to engaging citizens and empowering communities through the use of emerging technologies, which are transforming how the Government and citizens communicate and interact. PCII's mission is to bring more people into the public participatory process. Not only will this expand informed public engagement, early studies suggest that it is likely to enhance the diversity and quality of participation. View a list of public consultations currently open at https://www.publicconsultation.ie/haveyoursay