Overview
Ireland’s energy transition has already transformed the country’s electricity system.
Over the past two decades, onshore wind has become a cornerstone of renewable electricity generation, while solar energy has expanded rapidly across the country. But as Ireland works towards achieving a cleaner, more secure energy system, the next phase of that transition is becoming increasingly clear.
Offshore wind.
In this episode of The Energy Canvas, Dylan Walsh, CEO of Celtic Dynamics, is joined by Peter Lefroy, Head of Offshore Development UK West and Ireland at RWE, to discuss why offshore wind is becoming one of the most important infrastructure projects Ireland will undertake over the coming decades.
Together, they explore how offshore wind can strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, the challenges of delivering major renewable infrastructure, and why projects like Dublin Array are critical to Ireland’s long-term energy future.
What We Cover
- Why offshore wind is essential to Ireland’s energy future
- The changing structure of Ireland’s electricity system
- Energy security and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Why planning and regulation remain major barriers
- The role of grid infrastructure in enabling renewable energy
- Insights into the Dublin Array project
- The growing importance of policy certainty
- Community benefits and regional investment
- Floating offshore wind and Ireland’s long-term opportunity
Key Takeaways: Ireland’s energy system is changing
One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is that Ireland’s electricity system is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
Historically, electricity generation relied on a relatively small number of large power stations connected by major transmission lines.
Today, the system looks very different.
Wind farms, solar farms, battery storage and other distributed renewable technologies are creating a far more decentralised network. Instead of relying on a handful of large generators, Ireland is gradually moving towards thousands of renewable assets spread across the country.
As Peter explains, this changing landscape requires not only new generation capacity but also significant changes to regulation, planning and grid operation to support a much more complex electricity system.
Offshore wind is becoming the next major step
Ireland has made significant progress through onshore wind, but Peter believes offshore wind will ultimately become the technology that enables the country to reach much higher levels of renewable electricity.
While onshore wind and solar continue to play a major role, finding suitable new locations for large-scale renewable developments is becoming increasingly difficult. Offshore wind provides access to stronger, more consistent wind resources while allowing much larger projects to be developed.
As Peter puts it:
“If we want to make those really meaningful strides in getting to 80–90% reliance on renewables, it’s going to have to come from offshore wind.”
For Ireland, offshore wind is no longer simply another renewable technology. It represents the next stage of the country’s renewable energy transition.
Energy security has become an economic issue
The discussion also highlights how dramatically the conversation around energy has changed in recent years.
Energy is no longer viewed solely through the lens of climate policy.
Instead, governments increasingly recognise that energy security, affordability and economic competitiveness are closely connected.
Ireland still imports a significant proportion of the energy it consumes, leaving the country exposed to volatile international fossil fuel markets and geopolitical uncertainty.
Expanding domestic renewable generation offers an opportunity to reduce that dependence while improving long-term resilience.
As Peter notes:
“Energy is economy.”
The choices made today around renewable infrastructure will directly influence Ireland’s economic competitiveness for decades to come.
Building offshore wind is about far more than turbines
A particularly interesting insight from the episode is that the biggest challenges facing offshore wind are no longer purely engineering challenges.
The technology itself is mature.
Modern offshore wind farms benefit from decades of experience, larger and more efficient turbines, improved design standards and increasingly reliable operational performance.
Instead, many of today’s obstacles lie elsewhere.
Planning processes, regulatory approvals, consenting systems, government coordination and project delivery timelines have become some of the largest barriers to deployment.
Peter explains that Ireland’s current systems were never designed to deliver infrastructure projects of this scale on a regular basis. While ambitious renewable targets have been established, the surrounding approval processes are still evolving to support them.
Infrastructure extends well beyond the wind farm
Another major takeaway is that building offshore wind requires far more than simply installing turbines at sea.
Every new offshore project also requires significant investment in electricity transmission infrastructure.
Even if renewable projects receive planning approval, the electricity still needs to reach where it is needed most.
This means upgrading substations, strengthening transmission networks and expanding Ireland’s high-voltage grid.
Peter points to Dublin as a clear example.
As Ireland’s largest demand centre, significant grid investment will be required to accommodate the additional renewable electricity expected from future offshore developments.
Without these supporting infrastructure projects, renewable generation alone cannot deliver its full value.
Dublin Array offers a glimpse of Ireland’s future
One of the central case studies discussed is Dublin Array.
Located off Ireland’s east coast, the proposed 824 MW offshore wind project could consist of approximately 50 turbines positioned on the Kish and Bray Banks.
Beyond its renewable generation capacity, its location close to Dublin makes it strategically important.
Generating electricity close to Ireland’s largest demand centre reduces transmission requirements while improving the efficiency of the wider electricity system.
For Peter, projects like Dublin Array represent far more than individual wind farms.
They are nationally significant infrastructure projects capable of supporting Ireland’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient electricity system.
Policy certainty is essential for investment
Another recurring theme throughout the conversation is certainty.
Offshore wind developments require billions of euro in investment and involve highly complex international supply chains.
Developers, manufacturers and investors all need confidence that projects will proceed according to predictable timelines.
When approvals become uncertain or project schedules continually shift, securing manufacturing capacity, equipment and finance becomes considerably more difficult.
Peter argues that stable policy and efficient regulatory processes are just as important as ambitious renewable energy targets themselves.
Without certainty, investment slows and project delivery becomes harder.
Offshore wind creates benefits beyond electricity generation
While renewable electricity remains the primary objective, offshore wind also creates wider economic opportunities.
Peter discusses the potential for projects to support regional employment, develop local supply chains and generate long-term investment in coastal communities.
Community benefit funds associated with offshore wind developments can also provide ongoing funding for local infrastructure, community projects and regional development.
In this way, offshore wind becomes more than an energy project.
It becomes an economic development opportunity.
Why This Matters Now
Ireland has set ambitious renewable energy targets.
Achieving them will require more than simply installing additional renewable generation.
It will require:
- faster planning and consenting processes
- major investment in transmission infrastructure
- stronger policy certainty
- coordinated government delivery
- continued private sector investment
- long-term strategic planning
As Peter explains throughout the discussion, the technology already exists.
The challenge now is creating the systems capable of delivering it at the pace required.
Looking Beyond 2030
While much of the discussion focuses on current offshore developments, Peter also looks further ahead.
Ireland possesses one of Europe’s largest offshore wind resources, particularly off the west coast.
Unlocking that resource will likely depend on floating offshore wind technology, allowing turbines to operate in much deeper waters than traditional fixed foundations.
Although floating wind remains an emerging technology, it represents one of Ireland’s greatest long-term renewable opportunities.
If successfully developed, it could dramatically expand Ireland’s renewable generation capacity well beyond current ambitions.
What This Means for Businesses
Although offshore wind often appears to be a government or utility issue, its implications extend much further.
Businesses will increasingly be affected by:
- electricity prices
- energy security
- renewable infrastructure investment
- grid capacity
- supply chain resilience
- long-term energy planning
Reliable, affordable renewable electricity is becoming a key factor in economic competitiveness.
As Ireland continues its energy transition, investment in offshore wind will influence not only the electricity sector but also manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and industrial growth.
Guest: Peter Lefroy
Peter Lefroy is Head of Offshore Development UK West and Ireland at RWE, where he leads the development of large-scale offshore renewable energy projects across Ireland and the UK.
His work spans the full project lifecycle, including planning, consenting, regulatory engagement and delivery of nationally significant offshore wind developments such as Dublin Array.
Memorable Quotes
“If we want to make those really meaningful strides in getting to 80–90% reliance on renewables, it’s going to have to come from offshore wind.”
“Energy is economy.”
“The first offshore projects that go through the system at the moment are having to break down significant barriers.”
About The Energy Canvas
The Energy Canvas is a podcast from Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business outcomes in Ireland’s evolving energy landscape.
Produced by DustPod, the show highlights leaders, researchers, and innovators driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Get in Touch
We work with organisations across Ireland on energy strategy, decarbonisation, and system design. If you’d like to continue the conversation, get in touch below or connect with us on LinkedIn.
We’re also always looking for new voices for The Energy Canvas, so feel free to suggest future guests or topics.
