The Irish transmission system operator EirGrid has announced a substantial procurement package worth hundreds of millions of euros to support the development of offshore wind infrastructure, marking a key step in delivering Ireland’s long-term renewable energy ambitions.

The initiative, named Powering Up Offshore – South Coast Tonn Nua Substation Package, is the first major transmission procurement launched under Ireland’s offshore framework. It includes the design, fabrication, installation and commissioning of offshore substations, as well as associated high-voltage (HV) equipment, onshore compensation compound works and related engineering services.

The package is being procured through the Achilles Supply Line platform on 23 April 2026 and reflects a more integrated and scalable approach to infrastructure planning, based on prior market engagement.

Ireland’s shift towards offshore wind development follows a 2021 decision to adopt a plan-led rollout of renewable energy infrastructure. Under this strategy, EirGrid has been tasked with enabling the delivery of the government’s target of 5 GW of offshore wind capacity in the coming years.

Speaking at the WindEurope 2026 conference in Madrid, EirGrid CEO Cathal Marley said the substation procurement package is expected to be worth “in excess of hundreds of millions of euros,” highlighting progress in scaling up offshore renewable deployment and advancing Ireland’s clean energy transition. He also called on the wider supply chain to engage with the programme to help unlock Ireland’s offshore wind potential.

Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, said the country is at a “pivotal moment” for offshore development, noting that national policy structures are now in place to move from ambition to delivery. He pointed to the National DMAP framework and recent developments, including the Tonn Nua auction and ongoing south coast surveys, as evidence that collaboration between government, agencies, industry and communities is accelerating project delivery.

The announcement forms part of Ireland’s broader strategy to scale offshore wind capacity and strengthen the infrastructure required to integrate renewable energy into the national electricity system.