27/02/2025
Offshore Renewable Energy Development Consultation Launched
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has launched a public consultation on potential sites for offshore renewable energy development in Northern Ireland.
The 'Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP): Consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA)' is now open for public feedback.
A core objective 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 stated: "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 under consultation will help identify suitable marine areas for offshore renewable energy, balancing energy potential with minimizing disruption to the seabed and coastal communities.
"My Department is committed to ensuring this Action Plan identifies areas for offshore renewable energy which are sustainable," Minister Archibald emphasised. "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 be open for 12 weeks, closing at 23:59 on May 22, 2025.
The 'Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (OREAP): Consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA)' is now open for public feedback.
A core objective of the OREAP is to update the SEA and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) of offshore renewable energy in Northern Ireland's marine area.
The SEA and RIAA assessments under consultation will help identify suitable marine areas for offshore renewable energy, balancing energy potential with minimizing disruption to the seabed and coastal communities.
"My Department is committed to ensuring this Action Plan identifies areas for offshore renewable energy which are sustainable," Minister Archibald emphasised. "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 be open for 12 weeks, closing at 23:59 on May 22, 2025.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
