Offshore wind can play a central role in delivering Ireland’s 2030 renewables targets, Global Offshore Wind 2019 will hear on day one.
SSE Renewables capital projects director Paul Cooley will give an update on the nascent market in which he will tell delegates that the sector can “power the low-carbon revolution” is required.
Cooley will welcome the Irish government’s climate plan, published last week, that calls for at least 3.5GW of offshore wind by 2030, the nation’s first firm commitment to the industry.
“It includes key actions to remove the regulatory and licencing obstacles for offshore wind development in Ireland, which SSE Renewables has been advocating for some time,” he will say.
“There are already a number of projects at various stages of development in Irish waters, and it’s crucial that these projects are now prioritised to give Ireland the best possible chance of achieving its binding EU targets, and avoiding significant fines for failing to do so.”
SSE is developing the 520MW Arklow Bank 2 project off County Wicklow and is also in the early stages of work on two new projects, the 800MW Braymore Point off the north-east and 800MW Celtic Sea array off the south-east.
Cooley added: “The development of a thriving offshore wind energy industry in Ireland will ensure multi-billion-euro investments in low-carbon generation, the creation of skilled regional jobs and supply-chain development, and the regeneration of local ports around the island.”
The SSE man is speaking during at the Global Markets Theatre at 13.30 on day one.