A new Irish company called Green Rebel Marine has been set up to service the future needs of offshore wind farms, with plans to create 80 jobs.
Green Rebel Marine has also acquired a four hectare site at the Crosshaven Boatyard in County Cork as a base for the new operation to survey, equip and service a network of planned wind farms along the Irish coast.
Crosshaven Boatyard will continue its normal operations as a boat yard, the company said.
Green Rebel Marine has been founded by Cork businessman Pearse Flynn, who has invested €10m of his own money into the project, including the purchase of two specially equipped ships to service the industry.
Green Rebel Marine said the new jobs will be created in Crosshaven within the next 18 months.
The first vessel – the Bibby Athena, which will be renamed the Roman Rebel – has already arrived into Cork. The second is scheduled to arrive later this year.
Flynn said: “Ireland is on the verge of a green revolution that will deliver 5GW of energy from wind not generated on land, but far out to sea.
“Green Rebel Marine will work alongside the operators of this new array of wind turbines to ensure they remain operational by using skilled mariners who are trained here.
“We have already hired some of the industry’s leading scientists who will help conduct surveying in the months ahead, and our team will remain involved in these projects until they are operational and beyond.
“This is a new sector, and one that has incredible potential to deliver for our maritime community.”
Green Rebel Marine also has plans to develop a centre of excellence in Crosshaven to train and develop the staff required to meet the future needs of the floating wind farm industry.
Flynn added: “The cost of constructing these offshore, floating wind farms is coming down and there is a rush amongst operators to see who will be first to market.
“Unlike the challenges posed by such projects on land, these sea-based sites will be largely away from public view.
“Ireland has the potential to become a net exporter of electricity within a decade, as opposed to relying on imported fossil fuels.
“Green Rebel Marine marries the best of the Blue and Green Economies. We will create and sustain Irish jobs and become a global leader in this field.”