The Department of Environment, Climate and Communication has published a “Policy Statement on the Framework for Ireland’s Offshore Electricity Transmission System”. This states that Government has approved a phased transition from the decentralised offshore transmission system to a centralised model over the course of this decade. It is great to see progress in Irish policy frameworks to facilitate the 2030 targets for offshore wind. This framework aligns Irelands offshore model with where other European countries are today.
The publishing of this statement aligns Irelands assigning of its national Transmission System Operator (TSO) EirGrid as both the operator and asset owner for offshore grid infrastructure with other European nations. As one of several workstreams required to meet this objective, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has developed a new framework and associated policy for Ireland’s future offshore electricity transmission system, which was approved by Government on 14 April 2021. SuperNode hopes that this vital step is the first of many in developing Irelands Offshore resources in an efficient and effective manner.
The framework provides for a phased transition from a decentralised offshore transmission system model to a centralised model over the course of this decade. SuperNode sees this as a progressive move forward which can facilitate the development of shared transmission infrastructure for integrating offshore wind with the Irish grid as well as the UK and European grids. SuperNode is happy to see consideration given towards grids of the future with consideration towards “ease of future proofing of technology, including the potential for meshed offshore grid, further interconnection with the EU Internal Energy Market and the UK”. However, this thought is not further developed and is only stated in concept. Grid development can take over a decade, so planning of a meshed grid must start today between Ireland, the UK, Norway and continental Europe.
SuperNode does have concerns around the fact that onshore national transmission assets will remain under the ownership of ESB. SuperNode would like clarification on how the relationship between the onshore and offshore will develop, and how to ensure there are no conflicts in planning. Further clarification on this relationship is needed.
Finally, SuperNode is reassured to see the Policy Statement makes reference to 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 as the most recent consultation by EirGrid, the newly appointed operator of the offshore network, only envisages a maximum of 4.5 GW of offshore capacity by 2030. If EirGrid are to be responsible for the offshore network, they must align their future scenarios with government targets stated in the National Energy and Climate Plan for 2030.
SuperNode are glad to see Ireland assigning EirGrid as the Offshore Asset Owner and Operator. This aligns us with the other European nations in the Offshore. It is most promising to see mention of provisions for meshed grids in the future, with focus on the “ease of future proofing of technology, including the potential for meshed offshore grid, further interconnection with the EU Internal Energy Market and the UK” Marcos Byrne, Market and Policy Analyst for SuperNode.
A copy of the Policy statement can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5ec24-policy-statement-on-the-framework-for-irelands-offshore-electricity-transmission-system/