has led to the formulation of this Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) and its accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA). In the last decade there has been significant growth in Ireland's renewable electricity generation output, driven largely by onshore wind. 19.6% of Ireland's electricity demand was met by renewable sources in 2012, with 15.3% being met by onshore wind. This rate of progress towards our target of meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020, places Ireland at the forefront of renewables development. However, there is no room for complacency. Energy policy is defined by the need to be forward looking and to ensure that our electricity system is fit for purpose in the decades to come - both to meet our national energy needs, and for Ireland to have the capacity to fully participate in the wider European energy market. As we look towards 2030, and even out to 2050, the goal of decarbonising our electricity system will require the expansion of our renewable generation portfolio to include additional forms of renewable generation, such as offshore wind, and technologies still at the research, development and demonstration stage, such as wave and tidal devices and floating offshore wind systems. In tandem with this process, the Government has consistently identified the economic potential of our offshore energy resources as a priority area in the development of Ireland's green economy. The Action Plan for Jobs (2012) includes marine renewable energy among the green economy sectors in which critical mass must be built in order to realise its jobs potential, and prioritises finalising the OREDP and related SEA and AA to provide a clear framework for marine renewable energy development. The Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group (2012) identifies the opportunity to position Ireland as a research, development and innovation hub for the deployment of marine renewable energy technologies and services, thus facilitating the creation of an early stage industry and opening up the possibility of Ireland becoming a significant exporter of electricity. Ireland's Integrated Marine Plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth (2012), recognises the potential of Ireland's offshore energy resource and specifies time-bound enabling and development targets, including implementation of the OREDP. Taking into account the findings of the SEA, and the AA,