The result of Ireland’s recent offshore wind auction has been welcomed by industry associations and the country’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment
After recent auctions in other countries failed because of badly designed frameworks, WindEurope said it particularly welcomed the provisional results of the Irish auction for the 900-MW Tonn Nua site, and described it as a vote of confidence in offshore wind.
A joint venture of ESB and Ørsted secured the project with a bid of €98.72 (US$113.76), which WindEurope described as a strong result at a time when offshore wind auctions have been failing in other European markets.
Responding to the announcement, WindEurope said the award “underscores the importance of good auction design – offering indexation and two-sided Contracts for Difference – and realistic cost assumptions.”
Wind Energy Ireland also welcomed the result of the auction for Tonn Nua, describing it as a ‘great vote of confidence’ in Ireland for offshore wind investment. It also noted that the price compares favourably with results elsewhere in Europe over the last two years where some auctions have been unsuccessful.
Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said the auction was a “great vote of confidence in Ireland as a place to invest for offshore wind energy,” and said the Irish government “deserves credit for a very well-designed auction system which has delivered for Irish consumers at a strong price.” However, Wind Energy Ireland pointed out there is no clarity on the timeline for future projects.
Mr Cunniffe continued, “There are three other sites off Ireland’s south coast which have been identified for offshore wind energy but there is no clarity on when, how or even if they will move forward. The government plans to publish a national map of new sites by the end of 2027 but until that is produced, the development of further projects is effectively stalled. That makes it all the more important that industry and the relevant state agencies work together to ensure we deliver Tonn Nua and the five other existing projects off Ireland’s east coast.”
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien also welcomed the result of the state’s second offshore wind auction under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).
The Minister said what he described as “the extremely positive result” is “another milestone moment” in Ireland’s offshore renewable energy ambitions, “showing a vote of confidence internationally in Ireland’s offshore renewables potential.”
The Minister said the “hugely competitive” auction surpassed expectations, and the price secured “compares very favourably to recent offshore energy auctions in other jurisdictions and the price secured in Ireland’s recent onshore RESS 5 auction.” For comparison, the average wholesale electricity price in Ireland to date in 2025 is €/MWh.
Minister O’Brien said the auction result “is a clear sign that international companies are confident in Ireland’s ambition and infrastructure.” He highlighted Ireland’s “enormous offshore wind potential” and its potential to deliver “tens of thousands of new green jobs.”
The Tonn Nua results are provisional and are subject to the normal RESS confirmation processes. Final auction results will be announced on 9 December.
