Phase 1 Offshore Wind - Guarantee of Availability Consultation on Minded to Decision Paper
The CRU has today, 18th June 2026, published for consultation a Minded to Decision paper on the design for the Phase 1 offshore wind Guarantee of Availability (GoA) policy regime. This consultation seeks feedback on the CRU's Minded to Decisions for the GoA policy, which have been informed by a previous consultation on the proposed design for the policy completed in December 2025 - January 2026 (CRU2025213).
Consultation Context
Under the Government’s 2021 Policy Statement, the developers of each Phase 1 Project will build the offshore transmission assets to connect their offshore wind projects to the onshore network. The offshore transmission assets will subsequently be transferred to EirGrid, and following the transfer of the transmission assets, EirGrid shall assume responsibility for their operation, maintenance and repair.
The GoA policy will mean that in the event of an unplanned transmission outage, the Phase 1 Project will be compensated for their loss during that outage period. This paper builds on and supplements CRU Decision Papers CRU202309, CRU202313, and CRU202466, sets out how Phase 1 offshore wind projects will be treated in the event of an unplanned offshore transmission system outage, and clarifies how compensation liabilities arising from outages on the offshore transmission system will be managed.
The GoA policy is necessary to provide Phase 1 Developers and their financiers the certainty and bankability needed to progress to development, while safeguarding Irish consumers from undue or unpredictable financial exposure that could impact electricity bills, recognising that the costs associated with the guarantees are ultimately borne by electricity consumers. Furthermore, the GoA regime aims to provide EirGrid with the information required to systemise the GoA regime within the regulatory framework for offshore in Ireland.
What We Are Consulting On
At a high level, the CRU is minded to adopt the GoA policy largely as presented in the consultation paper CRU2025213. However, having carefully reviewed the consultation responses and reflected on the wider GoA policy, the CRU proposes to make some changes to elements of the design originally proposed in the consultation. These elements relate to Opportunistic Maintenance, compensation during ramping periods, and compensation payment channel design.
The CRU welcomes stakeholder feedback on the minded to positions set out in this paper, specifically the changes from the consultation positions. For the avoidance of doubt, the CRU is not consulting on existing policy decisions from CRU202309 and CRU202313.
Who Should Respond
People with an interest in Phase 1 offshore wind in Ireland, particularly developers, system operators, and potential financiers. We also welcome responses from other stakeholders and the public.
Next Steps
Following the close of the consultation, the CRU will review all submissions received and expects to publish a final decision on the GoA policy by the end of Q4 2026.
Phase 1 Offshore Wind – Guarantee of Availability: Policy Design Minded to Decision
Phase 1 Offshore Wind - Guarantee of Availability Consultation on Minded to Decision Paper
The CRU has today, 18th June 2026, published for consultation a Minded to Decision paper on the design for the Phase 1 offshore wind Guarantee of Availability (GoA) policy regime. This consultation seeks feedback on the CRU's Minded to Decisions for the GoA policy, which have been informed by a previous consultation on the proposed design for the policy completed in December 2025 - January 2026 (CRU2025213).
Consultation Context
Under the Government’s 2021 Policy Statement, the developers of each Phase 1 Project will build the offshore transmission assets to connect their offshore wind projects to the onshore network. The offshore transmission assets will subsequently be transferred to EirGrid, and following the transfer of the transmission assets, EirGrid shall assume responsibility for their operation, maintenance and repair.
The GoA policy will mean that in the event of an unplanned transmission outage, the Phase 1 Project will be compensated for their loss during that outage period. This paper builds on and supplements CRU Decision Papers CRU202309, CRU202313, and CRU202466, sets out how Phase 1 offshore wind projects will be treated in the event of an unplanned offshore transmission system outage, and clarifies how compensation liabilities arising from outages on the offshore transmission system will be managed.
The GoA policy is necessary to provide Phase 1 Developers and their financiers the certainty and bankability needed to progress to development, while safeguarding Irish consumers from undue or unpredictable financial exposure that could impact electricity bills, recognising that the costs associated with the guarantees are ultimately borne by electricity consumers. Furthermore, the GoA regime aims to provide EirGrid with the information required to systemise the GoA regime within the regulatory framework for offshore in Ireland.
What We Are Consulting On
At a high level, the CRU is minded to adopt the GoA policy largely as presented in the consultation paper CRU2025213. However, having carefully reviewed the consultation responses and reflected on the wider GoA policy, the CRU proposes to make some changes to elements of the design originally proposed in the consultation. These elements relate to Opportunistic Maintenance, compensation during ramping periods, and compensation payment channel design.
The CRU welcomes stakeholder feedback on the minded to positions set out in this paper, specifically the changes from the consultation positions. For the avoidance of doubt, the CRU is not consulting on existing policy decisions from CRU202309 and CRU202313.
Who Should Respond
People with an interest in Phase 1 offshore wind in Ireland, particularly developers, system operators, and potential financiers. We also welcome responses from other stakeholders and the public.
Next Steps
Following the close of the consultation, the CRU will review all submissions received and expects to publish a final decision on the GoA policy by the end of Q4 2026.
Share
Submissions
Themes
Materials
References