Offshore Renewable Energy: Potential Foreshore Site Investigation licence locations related to potential offshore renewable energy related infrastructure, and current offshore renewable energy project locations.The extent of state owned foreshore is normally defined to landward by the High Water Mark as shown on the OSI Historic 1888-1913 25 Inch mapping (https://webapps.geohive.ie/mapviewer/index.html ) and to seaward by the 12 nautical mile limit of the Territorial Seas (https://data.gov.ie/dataset/maritime-limits-irish-territorial-sea ).

The Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained for any activity on State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest. A lease relates to buildings or other structures and is generally used for a development that requires exclusive occupation of the foreshore. A licence is generally issued for a development or activity that does not require exclusive occupation of the foreshore and moorings also fall into this category. Each application is the subject of a range of detailed statutory assessments. Details on Foreshore applications are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/

Please note that a foreshore licence for site investigation activity related to a potential Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) infrastructure project is just a survey of an area of foreshore to ascertain suitability for possible ORE physical infrastructure in the future. Such a licence does not result in permanent physical infrastructure being placed on the foreshore. With regards to the ORE physical infrastructure (arrays, cables, etc.), a separate application, directly related to such infrastructure, would be required and would undergo a robust application process, including public consultation.

Clicking on a polygon’s Web Link launches the relevant page of the Foreshore website that provides the full suite of relevant application information including the various statutory assessment material. The current status of the application is also noted.