Taoiseach and Minister O’Brien announce establishment of Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, today announced the establishment of an Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House.
 
The Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House builds on the momentum of the Government Industry Forum on Offshore Wind chaired by the Taosieach on 28 July.  The Clearing House will address identified impediments to the timely delivery of a vibrant offshore renewable energy sector.  It will support and reinforce the work of the existing Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, especially where issues require an additional high-level intervention from the centre of Government.
 
The Clearing House will be chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, and its membership will comprise of Secretaries General from relevant Government Departments as well as industry representatives. It will meet with the heads of relevant public sector organisations to ensure that Ireland can quickly harness its abundant offshore wind energy resource, for the benefit of the Irish people.  The Clearing House will have its first meeting in the coming weeks.
 
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
 
"The Government is committed to reducing Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and taking the necessary steps to ensure Ireland's long-term energy security, and unlocking opportunities for economic growth. Quickly developing a vibrant offshore wind sector is central to this objective.
 
"This task requires the collective skills and effort of the public and private sectors, working together, to make the most of this opportunity.
 
"Following on from successful discussions at the Government Industry Forum in July, we have established an Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House with the aim of tackling barriers to the timely delivery of offshore wind energy. This Clearing House will provide a forum where barriers to the development of offshore energy can be addressed by relevant Government Departments and public sector organisations together with industry representatives.”
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien said:
 
“The establishment of the Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House will be a welcome development within the Irish renewables sector and beyond. The Clearing House will support and supplement the ongoing work of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, which I chair.
 
“At a time of rising costs and global uncertainty, today’s announcement sends out an important political signal that Ireland is not stepping back from its renewables ambition. In a sector defined by very mobile international finance, investment will flow to the most de-risked markets. The Clearing House further strengthens our economic competitiveness and reaffirms Ireland as a stable and attractive location for continued investment in offshore renewable energy. In the coming weeks I will open our second ever auction for offshore wind, which will bring the 900-megawatt Tonn Nua site to market, the first site within the South Coast DMAP [Designated Maritimer Area Plan]."