With government support for floating windfarms off its coast, Ireland could become an energy exporter
Floating wind energy can transform Ireland into a European renewable energy superpower if the right policies are put in place to enable industry to start building floating windfarms in the 2020s.
That is the central finding of Revolution: A vision for Irish floating wind energy, published in late July by Wind Energy Ireland, which sets out how floating windfarms can make Ireland a world leader in producing renewable energy and fighting climate change.
Ireland’s Programme for Government contains a target for 5.0 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 and, in the long term, 30 GW off the country’s western coast, which would enable Ireland to power itself and export large amounts of clean energy to Europe.
While most of the 2030 target will be delivered through existing fixed-bottom turbine technology, the authors of the report say a proactive approach from government is needed to ensure floating wind turbines are in the water before the end of the decade. This would unlock floating wind potential and kick-start an entirely new industrial sector for Ireland.
Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe says, “It is absolutely possible to have floating wind energy built and connected to the Irish electricity system by the end of the decade. We have a strong pipeline of projects waiting only for determined and co-ordinated action from government.”
Revolution: A vision for Irish floating wind energy makes a series of recommendations to support the development of floating wind energy. These include recommending that Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke amend the Maritime Area Planning Bill to enable floating wind energy projects to carry out essential environmental surveys outside the 12 nautical mile limit and ensure floating wind can contribute to Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind targets.
Other recommendations include that EirGrid must ensure its new strategy for grid development – due out later in 2021 – strengthens the grid on the western and southern coasts where most floating wind projects are located; and that Minister for Transport and Logistics Hildegarde Naughton must deliver strategic investment in port infrastructure as soon as possible to enable ports to be ready to build and maintain floating windfarms.
The report also recommends that Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan ensure the offshore renewable energy auction planned for 2025 has a dedicated floating wind energy pot to support projects ready to deliver; and that Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar put floating wind energy at the heart of a new industrial strategy for renewable energy backed by the strategic engagement of the IDA, Ireland’s foreign direct investment organisation, and Enterprise Ireland.
Mr Cunniffe continues, “The long-term potential of floating wind energy is staggering. There is enough renewable energy off our southern and western coasts to not only meet Ireland’s needs but to also become a major contributor to decarbonising Europe’s energy supply. This is how we can become a true climate action leader.
“We can achieve this if the Maritime Area Planning Bill is strengthened and then passed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. The first generation of new, fixed-bottom, windfarms on our east coast can provide the launching pad to develop a new floating wind industry in Ireland.”
Emerald Floating Wind managing director Val Cummins says, “Twenty years ago Ireland chose not to develop offshore wind, costing us an enormous economic opportunity and cementing our dependence on imported fossil fuels. We must not make the same mistake a second time.”
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.