Statkraft and CIP score on Irish wind

Norway’s Statkraft AS and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have won 500 MW of potential offshore wind development in Ireland’s first auction. The North Irish Sea Array (NISA), one of seven renewable energy projects given the go-ahead last December, lies off the country’s east coast near the counties of Dublin, Louth, and Meath.

The partners announced their tie-up in January, when CIP acquired 50% of Statkraft’s Irish wind portfolio. Their success in the country’s first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme is the first stage of a plan in which the partners will develop up to 2.2 GW of offshore wind capacity. 

Statkraft Ireland’s vice president for Development and Offshore, Donal O’Sullivan, said: "Today’s announcement is a significant achievement for Statkraft and CIP – and a signal that Ireland is well on its way to a future powered by clean, renewable energy. We are delighted that we can now start to focus on the next steps for bringing this sustainable energy to people’s homes and businesses."

David Flood, Statkraft’s senior vice president for Offshore Wind, commented: "Being successful in Ireland’s first offshore auction is a truly momentous event … Ireland’s energy security and our collective future climate depend on the ability to harness clean, renewable energy, like the vital resource which currently remains untapped off the Irish coast."

CIP partner, Nischal Agarwal, said: "We are very pleased with the successful outcome, which is an important milestone for us and our partnership with Statkraft. The 20-year contract provides a strong basis on which to continue the development of the NISA project, which will contribute towards Ireland’s 2030 renewables target and unlock the potential of offshore wind in the market."