The Government has identified six locations off the coast of counties Waterford, Wexford and Galway for State-led future offshore windfarms in a bid to prevent what a minister has said would be a private developer “Klondike-style gold rush” in the sector.
Minister for Environment and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan made the claim as he announced the Government’s long-awaited Designated Maritime Area Plan.
The plan has identified six areas which are believed to be suitable for offshore windfarms, while further developments are expected off the southeast coast.
The sites are expected to be the subject of initial planning application processes over summer, with Mr Ryan telling reporters at the Offshore Wind Conference in Dublin city that it is vital the State controls the sector.
Mr Ryan said: “It’s really important.
“It’s a plan for the development of natural resources and it’s State-led, rather than have developers in a Klondike-style gold rush, saying this is our bit of the sea.
“These seas belong to the Irish people.”
