Wind

Orsted and ESB join for 'most ambitious' Irish offshore wind push

Global pacesetter, which already has onshore interests in Ireland, agrees 50/50 partnership with state utility

Orsted UK & Ireland chief Duncan Clark.
Orsted UK & Ireland chief Duncan Clark.Foto: Orsted

Global offshore wind giant Orsted has linked with state utility ESB for what’s claimed as “the most ambitious partnership” in Irish offshore wind so far.

The Danish group becomes a 50/50 partner with ESB in a portfolio of developments that the two said could deliver up to 5GW of capacity and “complementary renewable hydrogen projects”, with the first set to compete in Ireland’s next national auction.

The agreement ends a hunt for a partner in offshore wind that ESB told Recharge last year would help it become “a leader” in the Irish sector by 2030.

Duncan Clark, head of UK & Ireland for Orsted, said: “This partnership combines complementary strengths relevant to development in this market and creates an ideal platform for Orsted to bring its global expertise in the delivery of offshore wind to bear in Ireland.”

Orsted in 2021 made a big leap into Irish onshore wind with the acquisition of Brookfield Renewable Ireland.

The nation – seen as one of Europe’s most promising untapped offshore wind markets – in May awarded its first government-backed deals in the sector to four projects and around 3GW of capacity.
As well as helping the grid decarbonise, H2 production and the nation’s booming data centre sector are both seen as good potential customers for offshore wind output in Ireland, which despite having some of the world's best resources only has one project in the water, the 25MW Arklow Bank 1 that entered service as long ago as 2004.

Irish enterprise minister Simon Coveney said: “Today’s announcement is a strong vote of confidence in Ireland’s sustainable future and an important milestone in building a new, indigenous energy system, which is secure, affordable and clean.”

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Published 2 June 2023, 10:49Updated 2 June 2023, 10:49
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