Energy

Developers halt offshore wind plans after policy shift

New rules threaten Ireland’s target of building as much as 7 gigawatts of offshore wind by the end of the decade

Climate Minister Eamon Ryan earlier this month said the government’s approach would “guide investment and decision-making”. Picture: Getty

Developers have started to pause large investments in offshore wind farms after the government introduced tougher rules on where they can be built.

Barry Kilcline, Ireland head of offshore at SSE Renewables, said he was aware of “at least two” significant investment decisions that had been abandoned as a result of the policy change, although he declined to say who the firms were.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Kilcline said his company also spent “several millions” of ...