Wind Energy Ireland tells Government 'time is short' to act on offshore development
Representatives of the Irish wind energy industry have warned that Ireland’s offshore wind targets are in serious jeopardy, without decisive and immediate action from the Government. Picture: Getty Images
Representatives of the Irish wind energy industry have warned that Ireland’s offshore wind targets are in serious jeopardy, without decisive and immediate action from the Government.
Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) made the warning as it published its ‘Offshore Wind Action Plan’, launched at their annual offshore wind conference, which got underway on Tuesday at the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin. WEI represents over 200 members across the island.
The plan offers a strategy to support delivery of offshore wind projects already in development and in future, and urges the Government to maximise development of the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan sites off Waterford and Wexford.
If further calls for the National Offshore Renewable Energy Designated Maritime Area Plan to be accelerated, and seeks infrastructural investment in ports, grid capacity, and industrial demand to support offshore wind growth and to ensure projects can be built on time.
"The industry stands ready to deliver, but it cannot do so without political urgency and whole-of-government leadership. The steps we set out today are not theoretical – they are essential," said Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said.
“The potential for offshore wind to transform Ireland’s energy system, economy and climate impact is enormous. But time is short. What we decide to do in the next 12 months will determine whether we have boats in the water constructing wind farms in 2030 and whether 2040 targets remain within reach.”
