Shannon-Foynes Port in Ireland has been awarded over €2m in co-funding under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility to support a feasibility study that will examine what the facility can offer the country’s offshore wind sector.
The €2.3m backing will support the probe for a future development of a new deep-water berth and associated infrastructure at Foynes Port, Limerick.
The required infrastructure includes the construction of a bridge to link the new deep-water berth to the existing port area on the mainland. It will also consider internal rail infrastructure.
Shannon Estuary counts among the largest gateway areas in Europe and is one of Ireland’s deep water ports, regularly facilitating large vessels.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said the backing is “really positive news” for Shannon-Foynes Port Company, which is led by chief executive Pat Keating (pictured, left)
This feasibility study by Shannon-Foynes Port Company will provide the basis for a new deep water berth which can accommodate larger vessels and meet projected demand in the coming years. The project has also been designed to facilitate the potential role the port can play in the expansion of offshore wind energy in the future.”