KBRA Releases Research – Offshore Wind: Opportunities and Challenges to Irish Development

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA releases a report examining the opportunities and challenges facing Ireland's renewable energy market, as well as how the country's ambitious renewable energy targets could transform into a realistic proposition over the coming years. Offshore wind energy has been a prominent feature of the Danish, UK, and other European markets for several years, and now presents an emerging opportunity to transform Ireland’s energy markets. However, significant obstacles lie ahead, including political, regulatory, and commercial challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Ireland has outlined ambitious plans to deliver 20GW of offshore wind power by 2040, more than triple the current nameplate capacity.
• These plans come with regulatory, commercial, technological, and other challenges. Specifically, construction risk, development cost risk, permit-related matters, ensuring a robust auction process, and enabling infrastructure are all important for Ireland to develop a strong market.
• Multibillion euro projects mean both private and public capital markets are key to support the renewable transition. The use of contracts for difference (CFD) and power purchase agreements (PPA) are important to help support and reassure potential financiers.

Click here to view the report.

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About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRA’s ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

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