Irish energy developer Energia Renewables and Vårgrønn, a renewable energy joint venture between Eni’s Plenitude and HitecVision, have partnered to develop 1.8GW of offshore wind projects in Ireland by 2030.

The alliance will initially focus on two sites in the North Celtic Sea and South Irish Sea, which Energia has been developing for the past four years. Each has a potential capacity of 900MW.

Energia has completed seabed surveys along with the collection of three years of aerial data on birds and mammals.

Activities including detailed environmental impact assessments and engagement programmes with local fishers and communities have also been started.

It is expected that the two wind projects could begin operations by 2030.

Energia Group CEO Ian Thom stated: “Through the development work completed to date, our partnership is uniquely placed to deliver new offshore capacity on the south and east coasts by 2030, and in so doing, make a significant contribution to Ireland’s offshore wind targets.

“Today’s announcement underpins Energia Group’s commitment to climate action and the provision of renewable electricity to homes and businesses across the island of Ireland.”

The collaboration follows Ireland’s selection of four projects in its first offshore wind auction.

The four wind farms will have a combined capacity of 3.1GW and are expected to produce more than 12 terawatt-hours of clean energy per year, enough to meet the needs of 2.5 million households.