Offshore Renewable Energy
The Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland – ‘The Path to Net Zero’ established a commitment to diversify the renewables generation technology mix, with an initial focus on offshore wind and marine renewables.
Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) will have a key role to play in achieving net zero in Northern Ireland (NI).
Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan
To deliver on the Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland, DfE developed the Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP) aims to enable the deployment of offshore renewable energy in NI’s marine area from 2030.
Offshore Renewable Energy can attract investment into local communities and businesses and see the creation of new skilled jobs for NI’s workforce. Contributing towards the Programme for Government 2024-2027, to ‘Grow a Globally Competitive and Sustainable Economy’.
The OREAP is a live document that is monitored and reviewed through annual reports. The current action plan can be viewed at: Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan |
Collaborative approach
OREAP Stakeholder Engagement
The OREAP takes a collaborative approach, requiring the input of a wide range of stakeholders from across society.
The department established the OREAP Steering Group, which brings together key delivery partners to oversee the development and delivery of the OREAP and to ensure that activities are being taken forward in a coordinated, informed, and transparent manner.
OREAP Steering group members represent:
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Input from marine stakeholders is essential in delivering an action plan that takes the views of and works for everyone that lives near, makes their living from or otherwise uses the marine environment in NI.
An Offshore Renewable Energy Forum (OREF) has been established, including representatives from coastal communities, the fishing industry, local government, maritime safety, environmental protection, maritime and marine economic development, ports and harbours, and marine heritage.
OREF members represent:
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Statement of Intent between DfE & TCE
In January 2023 DfE and The Crown Estate agreed a Statement of Intent to express their commitment towards establishing offshore wind leasing in Northern Ireland.
The Statement of Intent outlines the ways in which DfE and The Crown Estate will work together to create the conditions for offshore wind leasing in the NI marine area and follows a period of close collaboration between the two organisations.
It is the intention of the Department to publish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DfI, DAERA and DfE to establish and agree a framework within which the three Departments will collaborate, where possible, to prioritise offshore renewable energy projects.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessment
In May 2023 DfE commissioned RPS Ireland to undertake an update to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) of NI’s Marine Area.
These assessments will enable DfE and our delivery partners to ensure that the OREAP can maximise the potential of the NI seabed whilst focusing on development in areas that will cause the least disruption ecologically, as well as on other users of the marine area.
The SEA/HRA collates the best evidence available within the marine environment which will ensure a sustainable approach is taken to ORE development within our marine area.
Information and evidence gathered will also feed into the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Marine Plan.
A public consultation on the OREAP: SEA Environmental Report and RIAA launched on 27 February 2025 and closed 22 May 2025. The consultation and associated documentation can be accessed at the following link: |
Offshore Renewable Energy Installations policy options for Northern Ireland
OREI policy is an essential part of the overall strategic framework for the development of offshore renewable energy projects in NI.
DfE consulted on Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREI) Policy Options in December 2023 to establish frameworks for decommissioning, safety zones and rights of navigation within our territorial waters. The Department is working with the Office Legislative Council in relation to establishing these frameworks.
A public consultation on Offshore Renewable Energy Installation policy options for Northern Ireland launched 15 December 2023 and closed 8 March 2024. The consultation and associated documentation can be accessed at the following link: |
Links to further relevant documents:
- Statement of Intent between DfE and The Crown Estate | Department for the Economy
- Public consultation on the Draft OREAP
- Consultation on Offshore Renewable Energy Installation policy options for Northern Ireland | Department for the Economy
- Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan SEA Scoping Report | Department for the Economy
- Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP): Consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA) | Department for the Economy
- Microsoft Word - Strategic Action Plan 2012-2020 22.3.12.DOC
- ORESAP Progress Reports | Department for the Economy
- ORESAP - Post Adoption Statement - Final - July 2012 | Department for the Economy
- Project Level Mitigation Strategy - Dec 2012 | Department for the Economy
- Memorandum of Understanding Publications | Department for the Economy
- Regional Location Guidance (RLG) Publications | Department for the Economy
- Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) - June 2011 | Department for the Economy
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill | Department for the Economy