The tender encompasses two areas of the province. In addition to the 600MW project, off the coast of County Down, there are two 100MW tidal zones around Rathlin Island and Torr Head.
The 600MW project has been won by First Flight Wind, a consortium comprising Dong and RES-subsidiary RES-B9 Offshore.
The tender was first announced in December last year. In March 2011, the Crown Estate said it was planning discussions with developers on possible locations for wind and tidal projects.
According to the Northern Ireland government, wind farms are to play a vital role in helping Northern Ireland meet its ambitious 40% renewable electricity target for 2020.
The goal is a key plank of the province’s energy strategy, which aims to shift it away from a near 100% dependence on imported fossil fuels. It will require a four-fold increase in current levels of renewable generation. The strategy also confirms a 10% renewable heat target.
Speaking about the tender announcement, Northern Ireland first minister Arlene Foster said: "The development of offshore renewables is an excellent opportunity for Northern Ireland in so many ways - energy security and diversity; climate change mitigation; a contribution to the Executive's 2020 targets and the business supply chain opportunities for local companies over the next few years as these projects come on stream."
