Renewable energy developments, specifically onshore wind and solar, as well as offshore wind, are experiencing a flurry of activity in Ireland, largely due to the rapidly approaching 2030 deadline set out by the ambitious climate goals of the government, under significant pressure from the EU for a speedy execution.
However, the path is not without obstacles. The greatest challenges are arguably faced by the offshore renewables sector. Nevertheless, positive signals are emitted through the Government’s new industrial strategy for offshore wind and the commencement of consultations on Ireland’s Future Framework Policy Statement for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE). Both have the potential to attract major global wind investors and developers.
A long-term vision for the future of offshore renewables in Ireland is presented in this policy, which plans to create a path for the generation of a staggering 20 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37GW by 2050. Consider that a single gigawatt can power a city of a million, the sheer scale of this ambition becomes evident.
Wind power plays a crucial role in Ireland’s and the entire Europe’s economic strategies and decarbonisation plans, and could represent the largest home-grown source of electricity, providing an alternative to unpredictable, imported fossil fuels. However, one key component is yet to be put in place in the Irish context: sufficient port capacity to accommodate offshore wind farms, physically setting up turbines near shore and floating turbines further afield.
Assembly and installation of turbines, alongside their operations and maintenance once operational, require these ports. Given the sheer abundance of wind resources along Irish coasts, it’s anticipated that some ports might serve as hubs for Green Hydrogen production, as excess power from offshore sources could be converted into this eco-friendly fuel for potential export to Europe.
Currently, Belfast is the only port with adequate development to fulfil this requirement, though ports around the entire coast will be required in the future. Reviewing the development strategies of majority major ports in the Republic presents their offshore priorities. Yet, just a few have managed to add the necessary facilities to increase the likelihood of them becoming fully operational by the end of the decade.
With Europe’s most substantial wind resource found on our western coast and the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary ideally suited for facilitating offshore wind on such scale, Ireland is presented with an opportunity that many other European regions, and even those further afield, would envy.
Colm Markey, a Midlands-North-West MEP from Fine Gael, is of the opinion that Ireland is unable to realise energy stability and affordability without an emphasis on renewables, chiefly offshore. He observes that the current lack of progress in offshore wind energy deployment is due to numerous obstructions without any solution in sight. He postulates a substantial re-consideration is crucial to align Ireland’s aspirations with its actions.
Markey, emphasising five cardinal strategies, stipulates that the EU and Ireland’s administration should ensure advancements in the nation’s port facilities. These include establishing ‘renewable acceleration zones’ for swift sanctioning of construction plans, escalating grid abilities, championing skill enhancement and addressing supply chain deficiencies with ‘local production’, thus assuring accessibility to miscellaneous unprocessed materials.
He praised the EU’s efforts attempting to modify the prerequisites for port enhancement support, which were previously contingent on tonnage, encouraging the fossil fuel industry. He insists upon a shift to a port service-based support system.
He envisions larger ports such as Shannon Foynes, Belfast and Rosslare playing a pivotal role in construction phases. Simultaneously, he highlights the potential roles of smaller ports in operations and upkeep.
“Ports such as Drogheda, Bremore, Galway, and others scattered across the country will be instrumental in accelerating renewable energy development by serving as hubs for service, wind turbine assembly sites and production of green hydrogen,” Markey elaborates.
He acknowledges with Dublin at its optimum capacity, there’s a requirement for supplementary port facilities on either side of the capital.
Shannon Foynes, the country’s most significant bulk port, is a strong contender for development on account of its inherent attributes such as deepwater, grandiose plans interlinked with the transformation of the Limerick city and the Midwest region.
At the unveiling event last year, Taskforce chairman Barry O’Sullivan highlighted that the effects of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce could potentially pervade from Donegal to Cork and further inland. He stated that the estuary could turn into the nation’s ‘green digital powerhouse’, contributing immensely to the state by offering green energy and attracting foreign direct investment and residential business growth.
The invention of a “national floating offshore wind development agency” to supervise delivery was a principal suggestion in the report.
Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar recognised the potential of the area as a pioneer in “establishing novel industries, generating eco-friendly fertiliser, manufacturing sustainable aircraft fuels, powering the nation, and creating power for export purposes”. Eamon Ryan, the Energy Minister, underscored that the estuary is equipped to balance out the nation’s economy and serve as a solution to climate change.
The ambitions of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) for Moneypoint operations in the estuary align with this vision, as the ESB plans to transition away from conventional fuels and intensify its focus on offshore renewables.
In a move towards turning these plans into reality, Shannon Foynes Port and Rotterdam port have come to an agreement focussed on establishing a delivery corridor for green fuels to Europe. The green hydrogen strategy of the EU for 2030 is to import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen for uses in heavy industry and transport sectors that have historically relied on coal, oil and natural gas. By 2050, Rotterdam aims to accommodate 40 million tonnes from across the world, a significant portion of which they anticipate will be supplied by the Atlantic resource.
Patrick Keating, CEO of Shannon Foynes Port, says that Ireland’s west coast and the Shannon Estuary are gifted with substantial wind resources and the necessary deepwater for the upscale development of offshore wind capabilities, presenting an opportunity that other European regions, and indeed global regions, would yearn for. Keating sees this as not just an opportunity identified by the Government to revolutionise our national economy via green energy production and solidify Ireland’s position as Europe’s top renewable energy hub.
Consistent with the Government’s 2040 and 2050 objectives, Keating confirms, “Our master plan is designed to capitalise on this unparalleled prospect. The considerable interest from global leaders in our wind energy capacity reflects the scale of the opportunity. In addition to meeting our own energy needs through renewable sources, assisting in the long-term transition to net-zero, this also positions Ireland to be a major energy exporter.”
Rob Costello, a corporate finance partner at PwC Ireland, highlighted the essential role of ports in Ireland’s offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector. Without them, procurement, construction, and distribution of turbines and their parts are impossible. However, significant lead time is required, typically a decade, to establish and develop these infrastructures which involves feasibility studies, environmental assessments, business case studies, maritime licensing, planning, financing, and construction.
By 2030, there’s an official target to generate 7GW of offshore wind energy. Despite this, Costello states that current studies suggest that Irish ports lack the necessary capacity to meet the needs of ORE development. He calls for necessary developments to be available by 2026 to meet set goals. This needs a technically viable ports capacity plan taking into account ORE demands and future business requirements of ports, which often have over half a century of lifespan, but offshore wind assembly specifications last only for 10-15 years.
Furthermore, he urges the need for projects or port companies that are fundable, meaning project owners should have the ability to raise capital through debt or equity to cover infrastructure costs and earn returns over time. Government support and involvement is crucial to prioritise these investments.
Port development is advancing in specific areas as funding approval and planning permissions are still pending in other areas. Waterford port at Belview, due to ample riverside space, ability to manage unusually large cargo, and access to the motorway system, recently handled a record cargo of 80 meter-long wind-turbine blades, the largest ever imported into Ireland, destined for use at the Cushaling wind farm. Plans include the extension of the 250m quay to accommodate expansion in the industry.
The Port of Cork, under its 2050 development plan, aspires to be the national hub for renewables. The port has secured approval for a €200 million land reclamation scheme to extend quay walls. The plan includes shifting the port to Ringaskiddy for easier access to deeper waters and shipping corridors while repurposing the Tivoli and city port area for housing and commercial purposes.
Cork boasts a unique position amongst Irish ports, with both planning permission and a foreshore licence, offering the opportunity to construct quay extensions by 2026 if the required funding is raised. These development possibilities put Cork at the forefront of supporting the emerging offshore renewable industry, as highlighted by Conor Mowlds, the chief commercial officer at Cork’s port.
In another exciting development, ESB and Iarnród Éireann, the authorities overseeing the management of Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford, have shown mutual commitment to fostering offshore wind projects in the Celtic and Irish Seas. This has been demonstrated by signing a memorandum of understanding.
Guiding the efforts towards establishing an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) hub, Rosslare Europort offers significant employment opportunities, potentially creating up to 2,000 jobs. Additionally, it enjoys a unique geographical advantage, being within 100 nautical miles of most future developments in these seas. Plans are underway for a bespoke quay and berth, extended quayside storage and an enhanced navigable channel.
Galway port, despite its current focus on onshore renewable management, maintains ambitious aspirations towards offshore renewables. Plans include a new port on a 24-hectare site and a significant quay berth development extending almost a kilometre out to sea.
Killybegs in Co Donegal shines as a potential port due to its mention in a national ports study by Wind Energy Ireland. Further plans by Drogheda Port Company and Ronan Group Real Estate propose Bremore Ireland Port, an expansive offshore-centred facility off Co Meath. Additionally, smaller ports such as Arklow harbour, Wicklow port, and Ros an Mhíl in Co Galway are prepping to support local windfarms, pending approval.