The issue will come into focus when the Government holds its second offshore wind energy auction. Of the four winners of the first offshore wind auction held in June 2023, one has abandoned its project and the other three are still embroiled in the planning process. The other three projects are still in the planning process. The North Dublin Array – backed by Norway’s Statkraft – had planned to begin generation in 2030 based on a 12-month planning process. Frustrated though they may be, it is unlikely that the backers of these projects did not anticipate a lengthy planning process and factor it into their bids.
