Evolution of Offshore Renewable Energy Consenting Process in Ireland: Legal and Governance Reforms

Ireland was an early offshore wind pioneer, with Arklow Bank Phase 1 commissioned in 2004 as one of the world’s first commercial offshore wind farms (OWFs). Despite this early start, offshore wind development (OWD) in Ireland remained limited for almost two decades. In recent years, however, the Government of Ireland has declared ambitious offshore renewable energy (ORE) targets, aiming to deliver up to 37 GW of capacity by 2050. One of the key constraints during this period has been the absence of a coherent and integrated marine planning and consenting framework capable of supporting large-scale ORE. This paper examines the evolution of Ireland’s ORE planning and consenting regime, tracing the transition from fragmented, largely “developer-led” arrangements toward a more coordinated and “state-led” framework. It reviews key legislative and policy developments, including the National Marine Planning Framework, the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021, the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), and the introduction of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs), particularly the South Coast DMAP. The paper also situates Ireland’s recent reforms within selected leading European jurisdictions, highlighting persistent challenges related to governance coordination, permitting complexity, and regulatory sequencing in offshore wind deployment in Ireland.