An environmental network has been given additional funding of €1.1 million by Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan to “build capacity” in relation to planning for offshore wind.
The extra funding of €1.1 million has been approved by the minister for the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), a network of environmental non-government organisations (NGOs)
The money is in addition to annual funding the IEN receives from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
Ryan’s department said the funding “will enable environmental NGOs actively involved in the marine environment sector, including Birdwatch Ireland, Coastwatch Ireland, Bat Conservation Ireland and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, to build their capacity and secure additional expertise in areas critical to the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions”.
“These areas include marine science and research, the offshore wind planning system, and public engagement,” it said.
It said that “increasing the resources of environmental NGOs will make an important contribution towards achieving effective future maritime spatial planning within Ireland’s seas and oceans, and the establishment of a new ‘plan-led’ regime for offshore wind development”.
Under this plan-led approach, future offshore wind developments will be located in Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs, which have been established by the State, in cooperation with key stakeholders, including local communities, those involved in the fishing industry, and environmental NGOs.
This will include the establishment of Ireland’s first offshore renewable energy DMAP, which will identify marine areas for future offshore wind projects off the south coast of Ireland.
The funds “will ensure that environmental NGOs can contribute towards the establishment of future DMAPs, through participation in periods of public consultation”. T
A second period of public consultation for the South Coast DMAP is scheduled for early 2024.
“An appropriately resourced environmental NGO sector is central to our ongoing work to accelerate the delivery of offshore renewable energy,” Ryan said.
Karen Ciesielski, CEO of the Irish Environmental Network
“ In particular, the work of environmental NGOs in the areas of conservation, public awareness and education, will make an important contribution towards the establishment of future offshore DMAPs,”he said.
“This funding will help to ensure that development for offshore wind takes place in a manner that is sustainable and consistent with environmental protection, including protection of biodiversity, and the conservation objectives of protected sites, species or habitats,”he said.
IEN chief executive officer Karen Ciesielski welcomed the announcement.
“This funding will enable our members to build additional capabilities and know-how to ensure that Ireland’s offshore renewable energy demands are met in an environmentally sustainable manner that benefits coastal communities and us all,”she said.
