Powering Up Offshore South Coast

As the project progresses, this webpage will provide updates and information, as well as all relevant brochures, documents and community engagement details. 

If you have a query which is not covered in our FAQ section, you can reach out to our project team via the contact information below.

EirGrid develops, manages, and operates Ireland’s electricity grid. We are responsible for the safe, secure and reliable supply of Ireland’s electricity. Our job is to bring power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout Ireland, onshore and offshore. 

Powering Up Offshore - South Coast is EirGrid’s programme to build the new transmission grid infrastructure necessary to bring power generated by offshore windfarms into our national grid.

While EirGrid is not responsible for generating electricity or building windfarms, we are responsible for connecting electricity generation infrastructure, such as offshore and onshore windfarms, into our national electricity grid.

Tonn Nua is the name of the first Area being connected into the grid within the larger Powering Up Offshore – South Coast Programme. This will help deliver approximately 900 megawatts of additional electricity, enough to power almost one million homes and support us in meeting our climate goals.

To enable the integration of offshore wind it is necessary for EirGrid to provide the necessary infrastructure. For this project the following infrastructure is required:

The following supporting infrastructure will then be required in Co Cork and in Co Waterford/Wexford:

Developing the offshore electricity grid is key to harnessing Ireland’s offshore wind energy potential and providing greater security of electricity supply from a clean renewable source.

Government’s South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC-DMAP) is Ireland’s first spatial plan for offshore renewable energy (ORE). 

The substantial marine space and sea depths off the South Coast of Ireland are suitable for immediate and future developments of offshore wind. With the significant and growing population and industrial base along the South Coast the region is well placed to benefit from the long-term secure supply of green energy that will be provided by implementation of the SC-DMAP. 

Approved by the Oireachtas in October 2024, the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (SC-DMAP)represents a spatial government-led approach for the development of offshore wind farms. 

It details four proposed areas for future offshore wind development. The first area off the south coast that will host offshore wind farm development is area A, Tonn Nua. 

Tonn Nua will help deliver approximately 900 megawatts of additional electricity - enough to power almost one million homes with clean energy.

Sustainability 

This project will enable homes and businesses across the Irish coast and beyond to use electricity generated from offshore renewable energy. 

Security and reliability of supply 

Building a more independent, resilient and reliable electricity grid helps ensure that everyone has power when and where they need it. 

Social and community

EirGrid’s community benefit policy will directly support local communities in the areas that host the programme infrastructure. 

Meet future needs

As our society and economy develops, the programme will help us meet the growing demand for electricity, without increasing our carbon footprint. 

Economic

This critical programme will help strengthen the economy across coastal regions, encouraging and supporting industry investment with accessibility to a strong electricity grid.

We are now at Step 4: Where exactly should we build?

The development of this project follows EirGrid’s 6-Step approach to Grid Development (see below) which sets out the steps to be taken to identify and implement the best performing solution that meets the needs outlined. 

EirGrid’s Framework for Grid Development is a 6-step process for all EirGrid’s grid development projects, from the identification of a project needed to develop the electricity transmission grid through to the construction and subsequent project energisation. 

During Step 3, EirGrid evaluated options for Landfall Zones and Grid Connection Zones with the aim of identifying a short-list of options to bring forward.

In Step 4, EirGrid will be consulting on the best performing landfall options and cable route options to connect into the grid.

Our public engagement team will be out in our mobile information unit in April to discuss progress on the project and answer any questions. Come have a chat with us!

Wednesday 8 April

Thursday 9 April

 Tuesday 14 April

Wednesday 15 April

EirGrid will establish a Community Forum for the Powering Up Offshore South Coast project. 

The purpose of this forum is to make sure that the voices of local communities, and those impacted most by our infrastructure, are listened to. 

The forums provide for open dialogue between the project team and stakeholders interested in the project.

The community forums will engage with EirGrid on key project developments such as:

The Community Forum for Powering Up Offshore South Coast, which will be chaired by an independent facilitator and will act as a consultative body, will not replace any other engagement and consultation that EirGrid carries out.

A dedicated fund for new grid development is made available from EirGrid on all projects to provide direct benefits to communities who are closest to new transmission infrastructure. 

These funds, which are proportional to the scale of the project, support local good causes, help communities transform their area, and provide the opportunity to each community to become or remain a ‘sustainable energy community’. 

The overall aim is to leave a positive legacy in the communities hosting electrical infrastructure.​

March 2026

We are currently in Step 4 of the project, which involves determining where exactly we should build the project infrastructure. Information from the previous public consultation and data from marine and coastal surveys is a key input into this evaluation. ​

The marine surveys carried out by EirGrid in 2025 have been very successful in informing possible options for our offshore cable routes and landfalls. In April 2026 we will be continuing with our survey campaigns, both onshore and offshore.​
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Two of the seven landing zones which were identified in our November 2024 consultation - Landfalls C (Garryvoe Lower, Ballybutler and Ballycrenane) and F (within the townlands of Bannow) - continue to perform very strongly in assessments. Therefore, our 2026 survey campaign, due to take place between April and September 2026, will be focused on these areas.​

EirGrid's Public Engagement team are available to local organisations, fisheries, landowners, and members of the public to answer any queries on this latest survey activity and any other aspect of the project. They are available all year round to answer questions via email and phone. Please see their contact details at the end of this document.​

We will also be in communities around the landing zones with our mobile information unit throughout the year. There will also be a webinar for those we are unable to meet in person. Dates for these sessions will be made available on our website and via social media.​

There will then be a further project update, which will include the outcomes of this survey campaign, in Autumn 2026.