Source Galileo and Iarnród Éireann, the Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the port as a key facilitator in the delivery of large-scale offshore wind farm projects in Irish coastal waters.
A redevelopment plan for Rosslare Europort to facilitate both offshore wind farm construction, and operations and maintenance, is currently being progressed by Iarnród Éireann.
It plans to establish the port, its hinterland, and the south-east region as Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, with the potential to create up to 2,000 jobs.
While the joint agreement between Source Galileo and Iarnród Éireann is non-exclusive in nature, it seeks to combine their respective fields of expertise and knowledge to maximise the opportunities and potential to develop their respective development plans.
Source Galileo is developing 10GW of offshore wind to electricity and wind to hydrogen projects off the coasts of Europe.
Its portfolio includes the Mac Lir project, a proposed offshore wind farm located off the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford.
The project has a target installed capacity of 700 MW+, which equates to approximately 15% of Ireland’s commitment to achieve 5GW of offshore wind by 2030.
The project also has the potential to meet the needs of over 600,000 households and to offset over one million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
At its nearest point, Mac Lir’s proposed turbine array area will be over 22 kilometres off the east coast, lying entirely outside Ireland’s 12 nautical mile foreshore limit.
This area, which spans from south of Arklow to Cahore Point, has been strategically selected by Source Galileo to reduce visibility from the coast, to limit environmental and economic impacts and to harness stronger wind speeds that are found further offshore.
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, has secured a 20% stake in the Irish offshore wind projects of Source Galileo, which includes the Mac Lir project.
Work is underway to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report for the project, with the aim to submit a planning application for the project in late 2026.
Rosslare Europort is uniquely located within 60-100 nautical miles of most of the planned Offshore Renewal Energy developments in the Irish and Celtic seas.
To deliver its vision for ORE, Rosslare Europort plans significant works including a purpose-built quay and berth; quayside storage and pre-construction / up to 50 acres in area; a navigable channel dredged down to a minimum of 9-11 metres depth; and management Control Centre and management offices and facilities for operations and maintenance.
Kevin Lynch, chief executive of Source Galileo, said: “Source Galileo is developing a portfolio of projects that will generate substantial clean renewable energy direct to homes and business across Ireland.
“We look forward to working with Iarnród Éireann to jointly develop solutions that will assist the Government to accelerate its target of delivering 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, and 20GW by 2040.”
Glenn Carr, director of commercial business units for Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority Rosslare Europort said: “Rosslare Europort is excited to work with Source Galileo whose vision for the potential of ORE aligns with our own.
“We believe there are strong synergies to be achieved as we work together to place this renewable energy industry at the heart of Ireland’s decarbonised future.”