Energy

Change of direction on offshore wind farms raises investors’ fears

Energy industry experts warn that the government’s sudden policy shift will make it much harder for Ireland to meet its 2030 targets

Burbo Bank offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea: more than 80 per cent of planned offshore wind projects are at risk following a reversal of government policy. Picture: Getty

In early November 2021, Equinor, the Norwegian energy giant, released a statement announcing it was pulling out of Ireland. The news sent shock waves through the Irish wind industry.

The company had been working on a joint venture project with ESB for almost two years. It was one of the most ambitious energy projects in the history of the state, a 1,400 megawatt (MW) floating offshore wind farm located off the coast of Clare and ...