Public Consultation on the Draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC-DMAP)

Ireland has one of the best offshore wind and green energy resources in the world with significant potential to deliver a climate neutral future, significant economic and societal benefits, and a better quality of life for all.

The draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC-DMAP) is the first sub-national, forward maritime spatial plan for offshore renewable energy proposed by the State. It will provide for the sustainable development of offshore wind through consideration of environmental protection and existing marine users and activities.

We now want to hear your views on how Ireland, and in particular the South Coast, can best harness this opportunity to maximise benefits for our climate, environment and local coastal communities.

Have your say on Ireland's opportunity for offshore wind

The draft SC-DMAP and its associated environmental assessments - Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) - are available for public consultation from 3 May 2024 to 14 June 2024. During this time you are invited to make submissions which will inform possible revisions to the draft SC-DMAP.

Submit your responses via our online survey.

A printable version of this survey is available to download.

The closing date for submissions is 5.00pm on 14 June 2024.

Written submissions should be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to: International and Offshore Energy Division, South Coast DMAP Submission, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285.

What else do I need to know?

The draft SC-DMAP identifies four proposed Maritime Areas off the South Coast within which fixed offshore wind farms may be located in the future. It also includes supporting policy objectives to guide its implementation and governance. The SC-DMAP is consistent with and builds upon national policies and plans, including National Marine Planning Framework , which identify a central role for offshore renewable energy in driving Ireland's green energy transition and energy security. The preparation of the draft SC-DMAP has taken place pursuant to the legislative provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021.

Attend a consultation event

Documents for consultation

Supporting documents

Information on the previous non-statutory consultation on the SC-DMAP Proposal in 2023 and the Public Participation Statement for the SC-DMAP area available at this webpage .

Additional information

A copy of the Draft SC-DMAP and the Environmental Reports are available to view by appointment at the offices of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (at the below address). Email [email protected] or call 01 678 2000 to arrange a viewing.

Submissions can also be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to: International and Offshore Energy Division, South Coast DMAP Submission, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285.

To request a copy of the relevant Shapefiles, please email [email protected] .

Data protection

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this public information period. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Draft DMAP is published. Given the volume and the variety of comments anticipated, we do not intend to respond to individual submissions however a consultation summary report will be published on this webpage.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Protection Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.