Ireland’s Minister for Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has announced the launch of the development of a new national map to identify suitable locations for future offshore wind farms. 3f3z50

The Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore wind energy will be developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It will involve extensive data collection and a public consultation process, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, stated that “the industry will welcome the clarity and ambition the government is providing with this new approach. It will take time, and we will do everything we can to speed up the process, but once completed, it will deliver enough sites to accelerate the development of offshore renewables and place Ireland at the heart of Europe’s response to the energy and climate crises.”

Wind Energy Ireland also emphasized the need for the government to ensure that funding is in place to deliver the map by the end of 2027, adding that this must be a priority in the 2026 Budget, due later this year.