Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has launched a consultation as a first step towards identifying areas for potential development of offshore renewable energy.
The ‘Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP): Consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA)’ is open now.
A key action of the OREAP is to update the SEA and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) of offshore renewable energy in Northern Ireland’s marine area.
Minister Archibald explained:
“In order to meet our Climate Change Act targets, we must diversify our energy mix to include sources of local, sustainable and clean energy. The potential development of offshore renewable energy could have significant environmental benefits through increased renewable electricity production. It also has the potential to enhance our local economy and boost productivity across the north.
“Offshore renewable energy in our marine area is a key deliverable of the Executive’s Energy Strategy. It could be the north’s most ambitious energy infrastructure plan in a generation, which could supply our homes and businesses with clean and affordable electricity.”
The SEA and RIAA assessments that are being consulted on enable the Department and its delivery partners to identify suitable marine areas across Northern Ireland which maximise the potential of offshore renewable energy whilst minimising disruption to the seabed and to those who live and work in coastal areas.
Dr Archibald said:
“My Department is committed to ensuring this Action Plan identifies areas for offshore renewable energy which are sustainable. The development of this sector must be in unison with local citizens, businesses and communities and I would encourage everyone to have their say. This is your opportunity to shape renewable energy policy that meets our demand for greener energy now and for future generations.”
The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks until 23:59 on 22 May 2025.
For more information and to access the consultation visit here.