Ireland has opened the process for applying for offshore renewable energy leases, known as the Maritime Area Consent (MAC) regime.

One of the main features of the MAP Bill is the creation of a new State consent, the Maritime Area Consent (MAC), as a first step in new planning process. To make achievement of our 2030 targets feasible, a pathway was provided to enable a select number of projects which had advanced under the existing Foreshore regime to transition to the new MAP regime once established.

The Transition Protocol, as set out in the General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill gave guidance regarding the treatment of certain offshore wind projects in the context of the anticipated progression of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill. ‘Relevant Projects’ are those that either applied for or were granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933, or offshore wind projects that were eligible to be processed to receive a valid grid connection offer in December 2019.

The protocol allowed these projects to continue to work and update a number of project aspects, including the grid offer application process, so that they will be in a position to apply under the new marine planning regime, once enacted. Under direction from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Eirgrid has been and continues to engage with those projects to progress grid offer applications.

Under the special transition provisions in the MAP Bill, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications will have the responsibility for assessing and granting MACs for a first batch of offshore projects. Those are the projects which satisfy the definition of “relevant maritime usage”, which mirrors the definition of Relevant Project set out under the Transition Protocol, under the legislation. The window for MAC applications from projects satisfying the definition of “relevant maritime usage” will open in 2022. This will mark an important step towards reaching our 2030 targets.

Projects which obtain a MAC will still be required to apply for all of the requisite consents and planning permission and will be subject to the full assessment procedures by An Bord Pleanála.

After the assessment and grant of the first batch of ORE projects, responsibility will be handed over to a new Agency, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), which will be established and operational from 2023. The establishment of MARA is of the highest priority for Government.

The application window for the Maritime Area Consent (MAC) regime will open from 25 April to 22 June 2022.

KeyFacts Energy: Renewable Energy news