Offshore wind energy jobs blow

IRELAND is losing out on a major jobs boost due to its failure to develop offshore wind energy, said the National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland (NOW Ireland).

In failing to follow the example of the German and other EU governments to exploit our offshore wind resources we are losing out on serious jobs growth and higher exports.

NOW Ireland president Michael McBennett made the comments on a trade mission to Germany which visited Cuxhaven in Bremerhaven, home to a cluster of offshore wind supply chain companies.

That cluster alone is directly employing in excess of 1,700 people within two years, he said.

Offshore wind developers in Ireland are planning in excess of 2,500MW of clean wind power projects in Irish waters.

The Irish Sea is seen as a key development zone with substantial projects also planned for British waters.

Speaking during the trade mission, the NOW president said: “Governments around Europe have recognised the opportunity that this sector offers.

“A small town such as Cuxhaven, which suffered from significant unemployment, was identified as being an ideal base for development as a supply chain cluster.”

The Lower Saxony Government has allocated part of their port facilities as an offshore wind centre of excellence, which has resulted in significant direct investment and we should do the same in Arklow, Dublin, Bremore, or Killybegs,” he said.

The NOW Ireland trade mission included representatives of Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Forfas, Invest NI and the Construction Industry Federation, and members of the Irish Offshore Sector.

The purpose of the trip was to show what is achievable. With political will and leadership these projects can and do take off, he said.