ORESS 2.1 – Tonn Nua FAQ

MARA recommends that all ORESS bidders engage MARA for a MAC pre-application meeting. This meeting serves to provide clarifications on the MAC application process and requirements. Please note pre-assessment of application details will not be given within these meetings. Pre-application meetings are held on a non-statutory basis and without prejudice to any future MAC applications.
ORE pre-applications are prioritised by MARA Please complete Pre-Application Consultation Request Form and submit to mac@mara.gov.ie

No, MARA do not publish details of pre-applications held. Pre-application meetings are held on a non-mandatory basis and without prejudice. Brief notes of the meeting are recorded.

Yes. All transmission and supporting infrastructure, including the cable route, substations and nearshore infrastructure which falls within the maritime area will require a MAC(s). The winner or ORESS 2.1 for Tonn Nua shall apply for the full Area A which is designated for the windfarm array.

MACs are typically granted on a non-exclusive basis. It is envisaged that the Eirgrid and Developer MAC (Tonn Nua Area A) will overlap.  This is subject to Terms and Conditions of ORESS 2.1 and connection agreements between Eirgrid and the Developer. Following the grant of these MACs, the holder may apply to MARA to amend the MAC or assign a part of the MAC.

There is nothing in the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended, precluding the Holder from applying for a new  MAC or amendment to the MAC prior to the expiry of an existing MAC.

No. Requirements in relation to the Community Benefit Fund are included under the Terms and Conditions of the ORESS 2.1 Auction.

The applicant may cross reference any preparatory work undertaken by DECC to establish the SC-DMAP.  The applicant should also detail any preparatory work they plan to undertake pre-planning.

Yes. Applications for MACs and MULs are prioritised in accordance with MARA’s prioritisation system. Application for the ORE within a DMAP and related activity are highly prioritised by MARA.

MARA has developed a dynamic and structured system for the prioritisation of all MAC and licence applications to provide for effective decision making and to ensure that applications of national strategic importance are prioritised and delivered in a timely manner.  When a complete application is received, and the fee has been paid, the application is ranked according to four specific prioritisation criteria; namely National and European priorities, Policy and Regulatory, Assessment Status and Application Age.
Applications for MACs and MULs are prioritised in accordance with MARA’s prioritisation system. Application for the ORE within a DMAP and related activity are highly prioritised by MARA.
Further details in relation to MARA’s application prioritisation system available here.

The Supporting Entity Guarantee is to ensure payment of levy up to commercial operation / build completion

The MAC levy shall be in accordance with Levy Framework as published on our website: Here

The MAC levy shall be in accordance with Levy Framework as published on our website: Here

Applications for MACs and MULs are prioritised in accordance with MARA’s prioritisation system. Application for the ORE within a DMAP and related activity are highly prioritised by MARA.
Timeframes for determination will be dependent of the quality of applications, and response by applicants to any notices issued.

The application is expected to cover the entire area of the Area A. The MAC holder may apply for an amendment to the reduce MAC area.
Note the Area A is to include all the windfarm, and any areas required for construction, maintenance, operation, decommissioning and rehabilitation.

There is nothing in the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended, precluding developers from applying for MUL at the same time as the MAC application. MARA will have regard to government policy when considering such an application (Refer to  Circular MP01/2024).
Applications for MULs will be prioritised in accordance with MARA’s prioritisation system. Application for the MAC and MUL made by the provisional winner of the ORESS 2.1 auction will be highly prioritised.

Yes. Pre-application meetings can be arranged by completing Pre- Application Request Form and submit to licence@mara.gov.ie.
ORE pre-applications are prioritised by MARA.

Applications for MACs and MULs are prioritised in accordance with MARA’s prioritisation system. Application for the ORE within a DMAP and related activity are highly prioritised by MARA.
Timeframes for MUL determination will be dependent on the quality of applications, response by applicants to any notices issued and any the nature and number of submissions received in response to public consultation.

Upon request, MARA will set up a file-sharing cloud platform to enable the submission of MAC applications. MARA can also accept submissions via email up to 20MB.
Note in order for an application to be considered complete, the application fee must be paid in full. Details of how to pay the application fee are available here.

No. Please refer to 7.3.9 and Section 10 of the Terms and Conditions for ORESS 2.1 Auction. Once a preliminary auction winner is announced, they shall apply to MARA for a MAC. MARA will independently assess and determine the MAC application.

No. The applicant is not required to prepare a MAC map or GIS files for the Tonn Nua Area A. MARA shall prepare the MAC map based on the SC-DMAP area published by DECC. The application is expected to cover the entire area of the Area A.

The Scope and Nature of the Maritime Usage to be undertaken must be fully described and should detail any works or activities in the Maritime Area required or necessary, as relevant, to undertake, construct, complete, commission, operate, maintain, decommission and rehabilitate the proposed usage.

As set out in the General Guidance for completing an application for a MAC, Part 5 “Tax Compliance –  The applicant and any parent company (or other supporting entity) must be tax compliant, both at the time the application is made and at the time that the MAC application concerned is determined by MARA.” Tax Clearance Certificate and TCC are required to be submitted for the applicant, any parent company or supporting entity.

The applicant may cross reference any preparatory work undertaken by DECC to establish the SC-DMAP.  The applicant should also detail any preparatory work they plan to undertake pre-planning.

The applicant may cross reference any stakeholder engagement undertaken by DECC to establish the SC-DMAP. The applicant should also detail any stakeholder engagement they plan to undertake pre-planning.

MARA published revised Financial Capability Assessment Guidance and applications forms for MAC on 28 February 2025, available to download here.
MARA are current undertaking a review of the general MAC application forms and guidance. The revisions propose to provide additional clarity and transparency in relation the MAC process and application requirements. It is not intended to materially change the benchmark requirements for MAC application assessment. It is not intended to publish revisions to the general MAc guidelines or application forms prior to the ORESS 2.1 Auction. Please use the current guidance an application forms on our website.

If an applicant wishes to submit additional supporting information along with their application form, they may do so by clearly appending the additional document and cross referencing these within the general application form. All supporting information submitted should be relevant to the MAC application and the criteria to which MARA may have regard to, as set out within Schedule 5 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, as amended.

Letters of reference may be included within the application, where deemed appropriate, to evidence that the applicant is fit and proper.

EirGrid have made a Maritime Usage Licence application for marine survey works proposed to commence in 2025 to enable site and cable route selection. EirGrid have indicated that they intend to make a MAC application to MARA following site and cable route selection. EirGrid currently project that they shall make a MAC application to MARA in early 2027 following pre-application engagement over 2025 and 2026 in line with project evolution. Please refer to Offshore Energy Future Projects – EirGrid in relation to EirGrid’s plans for Government’s South Coast DMAP. Application for the ORE within a DMAP and related activity are highly prioritised by MARA. Further details in relation to MARA’s application prioritisation system available here

MARA will follow the formal legal process. MARA will inform DECC and the applicant of any judicial review taken and provide updates with regard to timeframes. Once any Judicial Review is concluded, MARA will engage with DECC and the applicant on the outcome.

Please note MARA adopts a comply or explain approach under the Financial Capability Assessment.Further details are provided under Section 6 of MARA’s Financial Capability Assessment Guidance. Refer to Section 9 – Ongoing Compliance of Financial Capability Assessment. As set out in the guidance, MARA adopts a comply or explain approach.

In order to prove financial capability, a Relevant Person may rely on the resources of another entity(s) or undertaking(s), which may be a parent or a non-parent company (“Supporting Entity”). Where this is the case, the financial capability assessment will be carried out on the Supporting Entity(s) and not the Relevant Person.
Where a Supporting Entity(s) is relied on to meet financial test thresholds, a Supporting Entity Guarantee (“SEG”) must be signed. The SEG does not form part of the financial capability assessment and the purpose of SEG is to ensure payment of levy up to commercial operation / build completion.

MARA considers all types of credible funding arrangements.  Please refer to Section 7 of the Financial Capability Assessment Guidance.  A Relevant Person may obtain or provide a letter of credit from a financial institution (e.g., a bank) guaranteeing the payment of costs on time where the Relevant Person is unable to cover its Project Costs. All related letter of credit documentation should be made available for review

The definition of Project Costs is any cost/financial commitment including capital, financing and other but excluding contingent liabilities in respect of a MAC project. Project costs includes all costs up to and post Build Completion or COD, including but not limited to design, planning, construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and rehabilitation. Refer to the Financial Capability Assessment Guidance for further details.

The definition of Outstanding Projects is depending on the stage of the project, Outstanding Project Cost is calculated as follows: – Up to FC: Any cost/financial commitment including capital, financing and other but excluding contingent liabilities, associated with a proposed project or a granted MAC, which has not yet been incurred/expensed up to the estimated date of FC. – Post FC: Any cost/financial commitment including capital, financing and other but excluding contingent liabilities, associated with a proposed project or a granted MAC, which has not yet been incurred/expensed up to the estimated date of COD. Refer to the Financial Capability Assessment Guidance for further details.

Please refer to Terms and Conditions for ORESS 2.1 Auction

Under Phase 1 MACs, Holders are required to post bonds not later than 60 days prior to the commencement of any works on foot of a Development Permission. A similar requirement is likely to be included within MAC granted for ORE windfarms.

Rehabilitation Bond are likely to apply to ORE windfarms, as per Phase 1 MACs

Responsibility for agreeing a rehabilitation plan in relation to MACs (Section 75(1)) rest with the planning authority. However, project costs should include estimated project costs for rehabilitation in order to ensure the applicant is financially capable of delivering and rehabilitating the project.

The applicant for the windfarm should include rehabilitation cost for their infrastructure and Eirgrid should provide rehabilitation costs for transmission infrastructure

No, there is no such process in place at present.

It is preferable that changes to applicant entities are not made during the application process, particularly with regard to the relevant person(s) for the purpose of financial or technical capability assessment. Such changes will/may require full financial and/or technical capability reassessment and result in delayed timeframes for the MAC determination.

Yes.  Section 85 of the MAP Act specifies an assignment process

Yes. Where a Relevant Person is unable to meet any of the technical capability requirements, this will not automatically result in the Relevant Person failing the technical capability assessment. However, the onus is on the Relevant Person to provide a sufficient explanation for each requirement not met, along with supporting evidence of extenuating circumstances or mitigating actions.

Yes, delivery timelines must demonstrate how first generation will be achieved in advance of the 2037 long stop.