Phase 1 Offshore Wind - Guarantee of Availability (GoA) regime
The CRU has today, 8th December 2025, published a consultation paper seeking stakeholders' feedback on the Phase 1 Guarantee of Availability (GoA) regime.
Context and purpose of the consultation
This consultation sets out the CRU's proposed design for the Phase 1 Guarantee of Availability (GoA). As outlined in previous decision papers CRU202309, CRU202313 and CRU202466, the GoA regime applies to Phase 1 offshore connection assets once ownership transfers from Developers to EirGrid.
The purpose of this consultation is to give 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.
Furthermore, the GoA regime aims to provide Phase 1 offshore wind Developers with clarity on how they will be treated in the event of a relevant outage on the offshore transmission network, and provide EirGrid, as the TSO, with the information required to systemise the GoA regime within the broader regulatory framework for Phase 1 offshore in Ireland.
What we are consulting on
The CRU is seeking stakeholders' comments on the design elements of the Phase 1 GoA regime, which are grouped into the following categories.
• Planned maintenance allowance - design elements regarding the definition and operation of EirGrid's planned maintenance allowance for offshore transmission assets for the purposes of the GoA regime.
• Establishing the duration of relevant outage periods - design elements relating to the definition of the duration of a period that will trigger compensation payments.
• Calculating the compensation amount - design elements underpinning the calculation of the total amount of compensation Phase 1 Developers are entitled to for an eligible outage event.
• Cashflow arrangements - design elements relating to the process and timings of compensation payments, and EirGrid’s subsequent recovery of these costs from consumers.
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
Once the consultation process closes, the CRU will review all submissions and publish its decisions in H2 2026.
Phase 1 Offshore Wind - Guarantee of Availability Regime: Proposed Design
Primary tabs
Phase 1 Offshore Wind - Guarantee of Availability (GoA) regime
The CRU has today, 8th December 2025, published a consultation paper seeking stakeholders' feedback on the Phase 1 Guarantee of Availability (GoA) regime.
Context and purpose of the consultation
This consultation sets out the CRU's proposed design for the Phase 1 Guarantee of Availability (GoA). As outlined in previous decision papers CRU202309, CRU202313 and CRU202466, the GoA regime applies to Phase 1 offshore connection assets once ownership transfers from Developers to EirGrid.
The purpose of this consultation is to give 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.
Furthermore, the GoA regime aims to provide Phase 1 offshore wind Developers with clarity on how they will be treated in the event of a relevant outage on the offshore transmission network, and provide EirGrid, as the TSO, with the information required to systemise the GoA regime within the broader regulatory framework for Phase 1 offshore in Ireland.
What we are consulting on
The CRU is seeking stakeholders' comments on the design elements of the Phase 1 GoA regime, which are grouped into the following categories.
• Planned maintenance allowance - design elements regarding the definition and operation of EirGrid's planned maintenance allowance for offshore transmission assets for the purposes of the GoA regime.
• Establishing the duration of relevant outage periods - design elements relating to the definition of the duration of a period that will trigger compensation payments.
• Calculating the compensation amount - design elements underpinning the calculation of the total amount of compensation Phase 1 Developers are entitled to for an eligible outage event.
• Cashflow arrangements - design elements relating to the process and timings of compensation payments, and EirGrid’s subsequent recovery of these costs from consumers.
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
Once the consultation process closes, the CRU will review all submissions and publish its decisions in H2 2026.
Share
Submissions
Themes
Materials
Dashboard