Equinor decision shows reform of regulatory framework is too slow

Regret at the decision of Equinor to leave the Irish offshore wind market has been voiced by Wind Energy Ireland.

Equinor had partnered with the ESB to deliver an offshore 1.4GW wind farm in Moneypoint as part of a €2bn deal.

A representative body for the Irish wind industry, Wind Energy Ireland has said Equinor’s departure underlines what industry has been warning for some time about the slow pace of planning and regulatory reform.

CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, Noel Cunniffe was confident offshore wind energy would be delivered in large volumes before the end of the decade despite the setback. “But this decision simply underlines what we have been saying for some time. We are not reforming Ireland’s planning and regulatory framework quickly enough to develop the offshore wind we will need to meet the targets in the Climate Action Plan. This is leading to a lack of confidence in the industry and our international supply chain that Government must address.”