ESB and Ørsted secure 900 MW Irish offshore wind contract

ESB, Ireland’s state energy company, and Denmark-based renewable developer Ørsted have been provisionally awarded development rights for a 900 MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm at the Tonn Nua site.

The contract, granted under Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS), includes a two-way Contract for Difference (CfD) at a strike price of €98.719 per MWh, running for 20 years from commissioning, expected in the mid-2030s.

The award follows a government-led auction, where Tonn Nua was designated as the sole area available for bidding. The project forms part of Ireland’s strategy to expand renewable energy capacity and secure national energy procurement.

Alana Kühne, Head of Region Europe Development at Ørsted, said offshore wind would support a green, affordable, and secure Irish energy system, adding they would “carefully assess and progress this early-stage development opportunity” with ESB.

Construction will be supported by Ireland’s transmission system operator, EirGrid, which will deliver offshore and onshore substations and export cables. Marine and coastal surveys along Ireland’s south coast have been completed, with Fugro handling survey work, and subcontractors TechWorks Marine and Green Rebel conducting metocean and environmental assessments.

Jim Dollard of ESB said the auction secures a clear pathway for the County Waterford project, adding, “We look forward to working with our partners to deliver a project that provides significant energy security and price certainty for Irish consumers.”

Next steps include seeking a Maritime Consent and Marine Usage Licence from the Irish Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, followed by a planning application. The final investment decision is expected around 2031, with first power generation projected in the mid-2030s.

Read the full story for detailed procurement and development timelines.