Why Ørsted is the perfect partner for Ireland's offshore wind growth

Ørsted is the global leader in offshore wind. We construct and operate offshore wind farms in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Taiwan, the UK, and the US. And it’s our aspiration to bring our global track-record of delivery to Ireland next.

In June 2023, Ørsted announced a new agreement with ESB to jointly develop a portfolio of Irish offshore wind projects in a landmark deal. With the agreement, which marks the most ambitious partnership in Ireland to date, Ørsted is a 50/50 partner in a pipeline of offshore wind development projects off the Irish coast.

Going green for Ireland with offshore wind

Did you know that the world’s first erection of a 3 MW wind turbine happened in 2003 at Arklow Bank Wind Park, in what remains Ireland´s only offshore wind farm?

While the technology has evolved significantly in the 20 years since, the fundamentals have not. With a maritime area approximately ten times the size of its landmass, the potential for offshore wind energy development is immense. Ireland is ideally positioned to grow a strong and vibrant offshore sector, which will help decarbonise the Irish electricity system and enable future renewable energy exports to Europe. Wind speeds, water depths and ground conditions off the Irish coastline present opportunities for both fixed bottom turbines and evolving technologies such as floating offshore wind.

At a policy level, Ireland has set clear ambitions for offshore wind growth and is backing this up with strategies that show a path forward for turning development projects into renewable energy generation at scale. In 2022, Ireland implemented legally binding sectoral emissions ceilings which include a 75% carbon reduction for electricity by 2030. To achieve this goal, and to support Ireland’s transition to net-zero, the Irish Government aims to reach 80% renewable electricity by 2030, which is to be composed of 5 GW of grid connected offshore wind, 2 GW non-grid connected offshore wind, in addition to 9 GW of onshore wind and 8 GW of solar power.

One rotation of an offshore wind turbine can generate enough green electricity to power a house for over a day

Some things are better with experience. Building offshore wind farms is one of them.

Since pioneering the world’s first offshore wind farm in 1991, we’ve built more wind farms at sea than any other company worldwide. In total, in 2024, Ørsted is constructing 6.7 GW of offshore wind, including Hornsea 3: the world’s biggest offshore windfarm located off the coast of Norfolk. We have by far the largest installed capacity, the deepest technical skills, and the largest number of new projects among offshore wind developers.

We are not new to Ireland, however. With over 100 people working out of our Cork office, Ørsted already has a strong Irish presence operating 21 onshore wind farms across the island with a total capacity of 378 MW. That’s enough green electricity to power over 246,000 Irish households.

Our vision, to create a world that runs entirely on green energy, is not one we can achieve alone. So, we’re delighted to partner with ESB: a strong partner who has been electrifying Ireland for a century. Combining our complementary strengths relevant to development in the Irish offshore sector creates an ideal platform for Ørsted to bring its global expertise in the delivery of offshore wind to bear in Ireland.

Together with ESB, Ireland’s leading utility company, we plan to develop up to 5 GW enough to power the equivalent of five million homes with green energy. We expect the first of these offshore wind projects to compete in Ireland’s upcoming offshore wind auction, ORESS 2.1, for the development of 900 MW of offshore wind powered electricity off the South coast.

Supporters and young people celebrate start of construction phase of Horizon Youth Zone

Transforming coastal communities

Over the last decade, we’ve invested £15 billion constructing our UK offshore wind farms that provide over 7% of the UK’s electricity with renewable power. But we’re delivering more than green energy – we’re delivering lasting community impacts.

Learn more here