Workshop on the development of the hybrid interconnection policy of Ireland

On 15 May 2023, Ea Energy Analyses hosted and facilitated an online industry workshop session focusing on the ongoing development of Ireland’s hybrid interconnection policy. Luis Boscan presented a series of policy recommendations that he, Hans-Henrik Lindboe, and Peter Børre Eriksen have recently been developing.

The policy and regulatory recommendations covered several topics concerning Ireland’s policy and regulatory framework for hybrid interconnections, including:

• The offshore network planning approach of Ireland’s TSO (EirGrid), including hybrid interconnections
• The financing model for hybrid transmission assets
• The international cooperation approach to be established between Ireland and neighbouring countries, which could be potential partners in hybrid projects
• The adoption of Offshore Bidding Zones (OBZs) and the implementation of associated de-risking measures

The workshop is part of an ongoing project concerning Ireland’s transition to a plan-led regime for offshore renewable energy (ORE). The beneficiary of the project is Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), which has obtained support from the EU’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM). In the project, Ea Energy Analyses cooperates with a group of Irish and German consultancy firms led by AARC Ltd (Dublin).