Offshore Asset Readiness Plan (OARP)

To meet this we are planning, designing and developing the processes, systems, skills, and partnerships to enable EirGrid as owner and operator of the offshore electricity transmission system. This is being achieved through the Offshore Asset Readiness Plan.

This plan has been developed in response to the Government's policy to appoint EirGrid as owner of Ireland’s offshore electricity transmission network, and to assist the Government in the delivery of its offshore ambition. 

As part of this work, our preparation includes for the purchase of transmission infrastructure from private developers in the case of Phase One projects. 

In addition to these, as part of the Government-led approach to the delivery of offshore wind, EirGrid will facilitate an additional 900 MW of generation capacity from wind farms off Ireland’s south coast, ‘Powering Up Offshore - South Coast’. 

Once the new offshore wind farms are connected, EirGrid will also assume responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the offshore substations, cables and associated grid infrastructure as Ireland realises its offshore renewable energy targets. 

EirGrid’s readiness activities are planned to align with the delivery and asset transfer of the earliest offshore wind farm development. 

While many of the OARP activities build on existing onshore expertise, offshore operations bring unique challenges which require new capabilities.

We are engaging with experts from our supply chain to develop the competencies in offshore maintenance, inspection, marine co-ordination, logistics and warehousing. 

EirGrid will also build enhanced capabilities in asset management, along with health, safety, risk and quality management. 

The OARP will support 30 programmes of work representing a significant investment over the next five years. The OARP delivery timelines align with the earliest offshore wind farm connection. 

This level of ambition will require in depth and sustained collaboration across industry, including: supply chain partners, education and training providers, offshore renewable energy (ORE) developers and technology innovators. 

As part of Powering Prosperity, EirGrid is working with other State agencies; Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that the economic impact commitments of offshore wind development is best harnessed for Irish businesses. 

The publications linked here are intended to inform industry stakeholders and emerging businesses about what and when we intend to procure and how we envisage the offshore wind ecosystem evolving from our perspective. By providing this insight, we aim to increase transparency and understanding, and encourage collaboration.

November 2025

Ports Lease

EirGrid initiated engagement with Irish port authorities to secure a strategic submarine cable storage facility. 

Submarine cables are critical components to connect offshore wind and ensuring their safe and accessible storage is essential for both operational readiness and long-term resilience. The aim is to have the contract signed in 2026.

The engagement process will build on a technical screening of port locations that can accommodate EirGrid’s technical and logistical requirements for submarine cable storage. 

EirGrid is committed to working collaboratively with port operators to identify optimal solutions that align with the company’s strategic objectives and requirements to support Ireland’s offshore wind projects.

EirGrid will publish quarterly updates on the progress of the OARP as set out in CRU/2024/99, Offshore Revenue Model – EirGrid. 

The documents below provide quarterly status updates on three key milestones for each of the OARP Programmes: 

Programme dates and timelines are scheduled to align with the earliest offshore wind farm connection and therefore are subject to change.

Further information on the individual programmes and detailed description of the three milestones are available in this guidance document.