Energy

ESB and SSE given green light to progress offshore wind projects

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has said there will be a transparent pathway for both developers to secure a grid connection

Both ESB and SSE have both said they are confident of progressing their respective offshore wind developments, despite failing to secure a state-backed subsidy contract in the O-RESS 1 auction in May this year.

The energy regulator will allow the two offshore wind projects that were unsuccessful in the state’s first ever offshore wind subsidy auction earlier this year to connect to the power grid, provided they can secure planning permission and prove the projects have a route to market.

In a decision paper released on Wednesday, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said there will be a transparent pathway for the two projects which were unsuccessful in the first offshore renewable energy subsidy auction, known as O-RESS 1.