Ireland signals strong start to 2026 with major offshore wind commitments

28 January 2026

Ireland has begun 2026 with a significant step forward in its offshore wind ambitions, signing a landmark agreement with European partners to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects across the North Sea region.

Under the Hamburg Declaration agreed at the North Sea Summit, Ireland and eight other European countries have committed to delivering 100 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power through joint projects in the coming years. The agreement also strengthens cooperation on cross-border infrastructure planning and the protection of offshore energy assets.

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom are signatories to the declaration alongside Ireland. Collectively, participating countries remain committed to installing up to 300GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050.

The agreement aligns with Ireland’s growing integration into Europe’s energy system. Ireland’s electricity grid is due to connect to the EU internal energy market for the first time in 2028 via the Celtic Interconnector, while the Government has set a national target of 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

Reflecting at Wind Energy Ireland’s annual conference, Jane summarised the Hamburg Declaration as a landmark for offshore wind security, whilst urging deeper cross-border collaboration: “The initiative highlights the necessity of coordinated regional planning and shared infrastructure. If Ireland is to achieve its 37GW target by 2050, it must prioritise deeper international cooperation in both supply chain development and grid planning.”

Wind Energy Ireland Launches 2026–2030 Strategy

Building on this momentum, Wind Energy Ireland has launched its 2026–2030 Strategy: Delivering Energy Independence, Powering Growth, setting out a clear and ambitious roadmap for the sector.

Unveiled at Wind Energy Ireland’s Annual Conference in Dublin in late January, the strategy outlines how Ireland can harness its world-class wind resources to become one of Europe’s first true electrostates—powered by secure, affordable and home-grown clean electricity.

The strategy focuses on two key priorities:

• Delivering wind farms, onshore and offshore, more quickly and at best value for consumers, and

• Accelerating the transition to a resilient, electrified economy, with increased demand for clean electricity across heat, transport and industry.

Together, these developments underline a strong start to 2026 for Ireland’s wind energy sector and its central role in delivering energy independence and sustainable economic growth.