Ireland is charting a bold course towards a greener, more sustainable future with its draft hydrogen strategy, poised to revolutionize offshore wind deployment and hydrogen production.
At the heart of Ireland’s hydrogen strategy lies the ambitious goal of expanding offshore wind capacity to 20GW by 2040 and 37GW by 2050. Crucially, hydrogen production will play a pivotal role in facilitating this offshore wind deployment, allowing excess power to be converted into green hydrogen for onshore use and export. By harnessing hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier, Ireland seeks to maximize the potential of its renewable energy resources and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The draft strategy envisions a future where offshore wind deployment is no longer constrained by grid availability, thanks to advancements in offgrid hydrogen production technologies. This innovative approach opens up new avenues for green products and services, including green hydrogen and green data, with the potential for partial or complete offgrid operation. Moreover, Ireland aims to replace half of its gas-fired power stations with hydrogen-fired capacity by 2050, signaling a significant shift towards decarbonizing the energy sector.
