Irish Government Awards €2.41M Marine Surveys Contracts for South Coast Offshore Wind DMAP

The Irish Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has awarded three contracts for marine surveys to support the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP) for offshore renewable energy. The contracts cover desktop studies for bird migratory patterns, digital aerial surveys for birds and marine mammals, and benthic habitat surveys. The winners are APEM Limited (Lot 1), ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Lot 2), and Ocean Ecology Limited (Lot 3). The total value of the contracts is €2.41 million.

Introduction

The Irish Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has conducted an open procedure for the procurement of marine surveys to support the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP) for offshore renewable energy. The SC-DMAP is situated off the coast of County Cork, Waterford, and Wexford.

The procurement is divided into three lots covering desktop studies for bird migratory patterns, digital aerial surveys for birds and marine mammals, and benthic habitat surveys. The contracts support the development of Ireland's first offshore wind project with a capacity of approximately 900MW in the Tonn Nua area, aiming for deployment by 2030.

The contracts were awarded to APEM Limited (Lot 1 – €1.23M), ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Lot 2 – €1.13M), and Ocean Ecology Limited (Lot 3 – €47K). The total value of all contracts awarded is €2,410,304.62.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that Ireland's offshore wind development is informed by robust environmental data, supporting sustainable energy transition and marine biodiversity protection.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports offshore wind: Enables Ireland's first 900MW offshore wind project
• Significant value: €2,410,304.62 across three lots
• Environmental protection: Informs marine biodiversity conservation
• Strategic procurement: Green Public Procurement criteria applied
• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 62.5%
• International participation: Winners from Ireland, UK, and Spain
• Supports renewable energy: Phase Two policy for offshore wind

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 06f56eb3-0a68-4bce-8464-960c09dcaca0-01
• Lot 1 concluded: 25 August 2026
• Lot 2 concluded: 30 July 2026
• Lot 3 concluded: 30 July 2026
• Contract duration: 3 years
• Notice published: 28 August 2026 (OJ S 166/2026)

Contract Overview

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Three lots: Desktop study (bird migratory patterns), Digital aerial surveys (birds/marine mammals), Benthic surveys
• Total awarded value: €2,410,304.62
• Estimated value: €2,850,000
• Duration: 3 years
• No framework agreement: Direct services contracts
• Evaluation: Quality (62.5%), Cost (37.5%)
• Winners: APEM Limited (UK), ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Spain), Ocean Ecology Limited (UK)
• Subcontracting: Not yet known
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE)
Contract title	Provision of Marine Surveys for Biological Data Collection within the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan
Main CPV	76520000 Offshore services
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total awarded value (EUR)	€2,410,304.62
Estimated value (EUR)	€2,850,000.00
Number of lots	3
Contract duration	3 years
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (62.5%), Cost (37.5%)
Location	South Coast of Ireland (off Cork, Waterford, Wexford)
Subcontracting	Not yet known
Strategic procurement	Reduction of environmental impacts (EU Green Public Procurement)

Background – South Coast DMAP and Offshore Wind

• SC-DMAP: South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy
• Location: Off the coast of County Cork, Waterford, and Wexford
• Legal basis: Maritime Area Planning Act 2021
• Phase Two policy: All future offshore renewable energy developments in Ireland within DMAPs
• First project: Tonn Nua, capacity ~900MW, deployment target 2030
• Government approval: SC-DMAP made in October 2024 following Oireachtas approval

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – Desktop Study for Bird Migratory Patterns

• Title: Desktop Study for best practice methodology for characterising the migratory patterns of birds (waterbirds and seabirds, passerine birds)
• Winner: APEM Limited (United Kingdom)
• Value: €1,229,798.50
• Tenders received: 7
• Contract concluded: 25 August 2026

Lot 2 – Digital Aerial Surveys for Birds and Marine Mammals

• Title: Digital Aerial Surveys for bird, marine mammal and other megafauna data collection
• Winner: ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Spain)
• Value: €1,133,400.00
• Tenders received: 5
• Contract concluded: 30 July 2026

Lot 3 – Benthic Surveys

• Title: Benthic Surveys
• Winner: Ocean Ecology Limited (United Kingdom)
• Value: €47,106.12
• Tenders received: 7
• Contract concluded: 30 July 2026

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Winner	Value (€)	Tenders
1	Desktop Study – Bird Migratory Patterns	APEM Limited (UK)	1,229,798.50	7
2	Digital Aerial Surveys – Birds/Marine Mammals	ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Spain)	1,133,400.00	5
3	Benthic Surveys	Ocean Ecology Limited (UK)	47,106.12	7
Total			2,410,304.62

Strategic Procurement – Green Public Procurement

The procurement includes strong environmental objectives:

• Aim: Reduction of environmental impacts
• Description: Reduction of survey vessel usage
• Approach: Other
• Green Procurement Criteria: EU Green Public Procurement criteria

About the Contracting Authority

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) is the Irish government department responsible for climate action, energy policy, and environmental protection. The department plays a key role in Ireland's offshore renewable energy development, including the implementation of Designated Maritime Area Plans.

About the Winners

APEM Limited (Lot 1)

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: United Kingdom
• Specialisation: Environmental consultancy, marine and freshwater ecology
• Lot: 1 – Desktop study for bird migratory patterns
• Contract concluded: 25 August 2026

ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Lot 2)

• Size: Small enterprise
• Headquarters: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
• Specialisation: Environmental studies and oceanography
• Lot: 2 – Digital aerial surveys for birds and marine mammals
• Contract concluded: 30 July 2026

Ocean Ecology Limited (Lot 3)

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Specialisation: Marine ecology and environmental consultancy
• Lot: 3 – Benthic surveys
• Contract concluded: 30 July 2026

Winners Summary

Supplier	Size	Country	Lot	Value (€)
APEM Limited	Large	United Kingdom	1	1,229,798.50
ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL	Small	Spain	2	1,133,400.00
Ocean Ecology Limited	Large	United Kingdom	3	47,106.12

Evaluation Criteria

All lots use the same evaluation criteria:

• Quality (62.5%): Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
• Cost (37.5%): Overall cost of services

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: 5-7 tenders per lot.
• International participation: Winners from UK (2) and Spain (1).
• SME participation: One winner (ECOS) is a small enterprise.
• Subcontracting: Not yet known for any winner.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: Direct services contracts.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: Green Public Procurement criteria applied.
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The contract duration is 3 years.
• Quality is heavily weighted at 62.5%.
• Green Public Procurement criteria were applied.
• The SC-DMAP supports Ireland's first 900MW offshore wind project.
• Lot 3 (Benthic surveys) is significantly smaller in value (€47K).
• Lot 1 received 7 tenders (most competitive).
• International participation from UK and Spain.
• No EU funding was used.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish offshore renewable energy market is developing rapidly, with the SC-DMAP enabling Ireland's first major offshore wind project. Marine environmental surveys are critical for understanding and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind development on marine biodiversity.

Key trends in this market include:

• Offshore wind development: Rapid growth in the Irish offshore wind sector
• Environmental data: Growing need for robust environmental data
• Green procurement: Increasing application of Green Public Procurement criteria
• International expertise: UK and Spanish firms active in the Irish market
• Quality focus: Strong emphasis on technical quality

Economic Significance

At €2.41 million, this procurement represents a significant investment in environmental data collection for Ireland's offshore wind sector. The contracts will:

• Support offshore wind: Enable Ireland's first major offshore wind project
• Protect biodiversity: Inform marine conservation measures
• Support employment: Work for environmental consultancies
• Drive renewable energy: Support Ireland's energy transition
• Enable sustainable development: Balanced approach to energy and environment

Future Procurement Opportunities

With these contracts now in place, future opportunities include:

• Additional surveys: Further environmental surveys for DMAPs
• Monitoring: Ongoing environmental monitoring for offshore wind
• Other DMAPs: Other Irish offshore wind areas
• Related services: Environmental impact assessment and consultancy

Opportunities for Suppliers

While these contracts are awarded, opportunities remain for environmental consultancies:

• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners
• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Other DMAPs: Similar marine survey tenders in other areas
• Monitoring: Ongoing environmental monitoring contracts

What Businesses Should Watch

• DCEE's future procurement notices
• Other Irish offshore wind tenders
• DMAP developments in other Irish waters
• Green Public Procurement criteria developments
• Marine environmental regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This marine surveys procurement is a notable example of Irish government environmental data collection. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €2.41 million across 3 lots
• Strategic importance: Supports first 900MW offshore wind project
• Quality focus: 62.5% weighting on quality
• Green procurement: EU Green Public Procurement criteria applied
• International: Winners from UK and Spain
• SME participation: One small enterprise winner

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 62.5% of evaluation
• Competitive pricing: Cost accounts for 37.5%
• Environmental expertise: Marine survey and ecological expertise
• Green credentials: Alignment with green procurement criteria
• International capability: Ability to work in Irish waters

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate high quality – 62.5% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing – 37.5% weighting
• Build marine survey and ecological expertise
• Align with green procurement criteria
• Develop international capability for Irish waters
• Monitor DCEE and Irish offshore wind procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• DCEE awarded €2.41M marine surveys contracts for SC-DMAP
• Three lots: Desktop study, aerial surveys, benthic surveys
• Winners: APEM (UK), ECOS (Spain), Ocean Ecology (UK)
• Duration: 3 years
• Evaluation: Quality (62.5%), Cost (37.5%)
• 5-7 tenders per lot
• Strategic procurement: EU Green Public Procurement criteria
• Supports Ireland's first 900MW offshore wind project

Conclusion

This marine surveys procurement ensures that Ireland's South Coast DMAP offshore wind development is informed by robust environmental data. By awarding contracts across three lots to UK and Spanish consultancies, the DCEE secures specialised expertise in bird migratory patterns, aerial surveys, and benthic ecology.

The 62.5% weighting on quality reflects the importance of scientific rigour in environmental data collection, while the application of EU Green Public Procurement criteria demonstrates the government's commitment to sustainable development. The international participation from UK and Spanish firms highlights the global nature of the offshore wind environmental consultancy market.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of quality, environmental expertise, and alignment with green procurement criteria in winning Irish government environmental contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is DCEE?

Ans: The Irish Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

Q: What is the SC-DMAP?

Ans: South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy, located off County Cork, Waterford, and Wexford.

Q: What is the total value of the contracts?

Ans: €2,410,304.62.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: APEM Limited (UK) – Lot 1, ECOS Estudios Ambientales y Oceanografía SL (Spain) – Lot 2, Ocean Ecology Limited (UK) – Lot 3.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Desktop studies for bird migratory patterns, digital aerial surveys for birds and marine mammals, and benthic habitat surveys.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (62.5%) and Cost (37.5%).

Q: How long are the contracts?

Ans: 3 years.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: 5-7 tenders per lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What green procurement criteria were applied?

Ans: EU Green Public Procurement criteria, with a focus on reducing survey vessel usage.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 596280-2026, OJ S 166/2026, published 28 August 2026.