Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney has said he intends to publish an offshore renewable energy (ORE) industrial strategy very shortly.
A draft of the strategy was due to be presented to Cabinet this week, he told the third annual national seafarers’ conference in Limerick.
A test site for floating offshore wind, similar to the Atlantic test site developed in north Mayo, is being considered as part of the industrial strategy, he said.
He said the ORE industrial strategy “aligns with the ORE “Future Framework” policy statement being prepared by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
“Indeed, the industrial strategy will help to realise the plan-led approach set out in the “Future Framework” by building capacity and capability along the supply chain here in Ireland,” Coveney said.
The potential for accelerating a designated area map (DMAP) for the west coast is being examined by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Coveney told the conference.
A draft DMAP for the Irish south coast in relation to potential ORE sites has already been published for public consultation
“Successful decarbonisation of the Irish economy through offshore renewable energy development does not have to come at the expense of high quality, low carbon Irish seafood,” Coveney said.
“A sustainable, resilient seafood sector is very much Government policy through the Food Vision 2030 strategy. The nature of the skills involved in supporting our fishing industry is a key asset to Ireland as we look to develop our presence in the international offshore wind market,” he said.
“Places like Killybegs, where Enterprise Ireland is working with Ireland’s first marine cluster, speak to this,” he said.
“Here we have a natural, sheltered deep water port with a vibrant hub where engineering, electrical, ship maintenance and offshore services are already used by renewable energy developers and offshore petroleum companies, side by side with highly profitable seafood companies,” he said.
“Indeed, when I visited Fraserburgh in Scotland two weeks ago, I was struck by the similarities,” he said.
“While a lot of focus is on our largest commercial ports being ORE-ready, we will need a lot of skills in a range of ports to meet our renewable energy targets. It’s good to acknowledge where we already have some strong bases to build from,” he said.