Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
180. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to develop the port infrastructure to enable the deployment of offshore wind farms, particularly along Ireland's west coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on establishing Shannon Foynes port as an international floating offshore wind energy hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
I welcome the contents of the National Ports Study (September 2022), commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), which provides a useful profile of port infrastructure and the proposed development plans of the port companies for both fixed and floating installations.
Ireland has ambitious plans with regard to the development of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) in the seas around Ireland. This report aligns with Government Policy I published last December on the facilitation of ORE by Irish Commercial Ports in identifying that four to five port facilities (each capable of building 500 MW of ORE annually) will be required for deployment activity and multiple ports, both on the east and west coast, will be needed for O&M operations.
A multiport approach will ultimately allow investments that are commercially viable in the long-term progress without undermining the ability of any port to meet its primary obligations in relation to the facilitation of international trade.
Officials in my Department have engaged with WEI about their Study and the association, along with Marine Renewable Industry Ireland (MRIA), made a presentation in October at the ORE Ports Co-ordination Group chaired by my Department. Arrangements are already being made to facilitate more regular exchanges of views and updates between the Department and the industry representative associations.
A National Task Force has been established by DECC on the delivery of offshore wind energy. The Task Force on which I sit brings together senior representatives from key departments and agencies and has set the development of port infrastructure as one of its core objectives. This development will not happen in isolation, however. It will be done in tandem with improvements to the planning process, the introduction of appropriate regulatory frameworks, the establishment of a cohesive supply chain and skills capability, including ecological and environmental and enhancements to the national grid.
Shannon Foynes Port Company is Ireland’s second largest port based on tonnage and is located beside one of the best wind resources in Europe. A review of their 30-year Masterplan, Vision 2041, was conducted this year in order to assess how best to unlock the huge potential of the port as a key enabler of unprecedented renewable energy opportunities.
I was delighted to be able to launch the Review of Vision 2041 in November. The report sets out the blueprint for the Shannon Estuary to become a hub for facilitating the development of offshore wind, along with the production of clean fuels – including green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. The Review demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability, climate action and renewable energy and also clearly demonstrates the continued commitment of Shannon Foynes Port Company as a driver of economic growth in the Shannon Estuary, the Region and nationally.
Shannon Foynes Port Company is a Tier 1 Port under National Ports Policy and a “core corridor port” on the EU’s TEN-T network. Similar to other ports it receives no exchequer funding and it is envisaged that like all port infrastructure, the ORE facilities will be funded through a combination of port revenues, EU funding and borrowing from the likes of the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other financial institutions. Shannon Foynes has been particularly successful in obtaining EU funding for its projects to date.
My Department is engaging with ISIF, EIB and the EU Commission, about the availability of funding for ports in providing the ORE infrastructure to meet EU and Ireland's ambitions.
