Irish Ports in Good Position to Capitalize on Marine Renewable Energy Services
The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) has published its report on “The Irish Ports Offshore Renewable Energy Services” (IPORES). The report provides a detailed summary of information on Irish port infrastructure, facilities and management plans in relation to meeting requirements of marine renewable energy developers. The report found that at least seven Irish ports are in a good situation to facilitate and service both current and future demands of the offshore marine renewable sector. The report identifies that large scale development projects in particular have strong potential to generate several hundred new jobs and other positive economic benefits for the regions.
The study involved a detailed stakeholder consultation process and analysis of 14 ports around the island of Ireland including a comparison with some key renewable energy services ports in the UK and Germany. Irish Ports were categorised according to criteria that would meet the requirements to service the offshore renewable energy sector which included port infrastructure, available quay space and hinterland, depth of water, past experience with the sector, proximity to markets, potential for job creation and availability of skills and maritime services.
The report provides a number of recommendations including the establishment of clear targets to deliver new offshore ocean renewable projects at Irish ports leading to new investment and employment opportunities.
PHOTO: Aerial view of Greenore Port, located at the eastern end of the Carlingford Peninsula next to the important Dublin - Belfast economic corridor.
Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources are amongst the highest in the world with a potential of between 63,000 and 73,000 MW of power available for harnessing. Ports will play a key role in facilitating future large-scale developments and operations of ocean energy devices (wind turbines, wave energy converters and tidal turbines).
A Review of Irish Ports Offshore Capability in Relation to Requirements for the Marine Renewable Energy Industry
A copy of the report is available here.
