Provision of Marine Surveys for Biological Data Collection within the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan

The Minister for the Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) invites interested parties to submit responses to this request for tender for a desktop study for best practice methodology for characterising the migratory patterns of for birds (waterbirds and seabirds, passerine birds), digital aerial surveys for birds and marine mammals, benthic habitat survey over the SC-DMAP area and environs as specified within each lot. The SC-DMAP is situated off the coast of County Cork, Waterford and Wexford. As part of a new plan-led regime, the offshore wind Phase Two policy approved by Government in March 2023 requires that all future offshore renewable energy developments in Ireland will take place within Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs), which will be established according to provisions in the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021.

Specifically, all future developments will take place at specific sites within DMAPs that have been identified for this purpose by Government. In October 2024, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications made the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (SC DMAP), following the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas. The first offshore wind project with a capacity of approximately 900MW will take place in Tonn Nua and will aim for deployment by 2030.