Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has announced the initiation of a National Offshore Renewable (ORE) Energy Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP).

The plan is a strategic step towards achieving the government’s commitment of at least 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity, aiming to reach 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

The completion of the DMAP is anticipated by the end of 2027.

O’Brien stated: “The use of strategically planned DMAPs will ensure that developments in Ireland’s maritime area take place in a managed and sustainable way. The work on a National DMAP builds on the success of the South Coast ORE DMAP which was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas last October [2024].

“This supports our decarbonisation ambitions and our offshore renewables target of 20GW by 2040.”

The DMAP will be developed by a project team within the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, bolstered by a Steering Group with experts from various government departments. The plan’s preparation is already in progress, allowing immediate commencement of the statutory process.

Minister of State with special responsibility for the marine Timmy Dooley stated: “The development of offshore wind projects, including floating offshore wind and other innovative technologies throughout our coastal areas, offers enormous economic opportunities for coastal communities, in terms of jobs growth and local community development.”

The identification of potential areas for offshore renewable energy will be conducted through analysis of maritime and environmental data, utilising Geographic Information System software.

The Marine Institute and other maritime authorities will ensure that the DMAP’s boundaries are established based on technical feasibility and evidence-based data.

The Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, along with the Project Ireland Marine 2040 Group, will oversee the DMAP’s progress, including public engagement.

In April 2025, Ireland’s transmission system operator EirGrid launched a €1bn ($1.1bn) procurement programme for the development of an offshore electricity grid.