Norwegian energy group Equinor will link with Irish state-owned utility ESB to advance offshore wind projects off Ireland, the companies said.
The partnership aims to get large-scale projects up and running by 2030, they added.
Equinor is already a major player in the UK offshore wind sector, where it has several large fixed-bottom projects in the water off eastern England and is advancing the 3.6GW Dogger Bank mega-development with SSE.
The Norwegian group is also a pioneer in floating wind technology, which is tipped to have a role in Ireland’s ambitions to build at least 3.5GW of capacity in the next decade, with renewables delivering 70% of power by then.
ESB chief executive Pat O’Doherty told Recharge earlier this year that floating projects have potential in the deeper waters off Ireland’s west coast.
The Irish group said of the Equinor link: “Equinor’s scale and capabilities making them an ideal long-term partner. Today’s announcement represents a significant commitment by ESB in offshore wind in Ireland.”
The Irish government last year laid the ground for future offshore wind tendering via its Renewable Energy Support Scheme.