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The port at Ringaskiddy in Cork, one of only two ports in Ireland engaged in early planning for ORE marshalling Photo: Aaron Woods/ iStock

2030 offshore wind energy targets cannot be met by existing port space

Significant gap in Ireland's strategy for achieving its climate action and energy security goals

Ireland's offshore renewable energy (ORE) targets are at risk due to a critical lack of suitable port infrastructure, according to a new policy paper published by NexSys researchers based in Dublin City University.

 

The paper, authored by Dr. James G. Carton and Bill Duggan, highlights a significant gap in Ireland's strategy for achieving its climate action and energy security goals, noting that Ireland currently has no marshalling ports fully equipped to handle large-scale offshore wind projects. While Climate Action Plan 2025 retains a target of at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, and the Future Framework for Offshore Wind aims for 20 GW by 2040, Ireland has only 44 hectares of planned laydown space for offshore wind, a fraction of what is needed to meet targets.

 

Key findings

 

  • In order to meet its targets, Ireland will require four dedicated ORE marshalling ports. Thus far only Cork Ringaskiddy and Rosslare Europort, are engaged in early planning for ORE marshalling.

     

  • A government-managed, coordinated, and plan-led approach is urgently needed to address this deficit.

     

  • A total investment of €2-3 billion is required to develop the necessary port infrastructure to handle ORE activities. While the National Development Plan has committed over €5 billion for domestic and international grid and transmission infrastructure, no funding has been allocated for marshalling ports.

 

Speaking about the findings, Dr James G. Carton said:

"Without immediate and decisive intervention, port capacity will endanger the delivery of our committed offshore wind targets, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and energy security, but we risk missing the boat entirely."

Recommendations

 

  • Create a National Implementation Plan: A Government-led strategy is needed to coordinate ORE development at ports, ensuring it aligns with national interests rather than individual port decisions.

 

  • Maximise Quayside Space: The immense size of modern wind turbine components requires significantly more laydown space than currently planned. A 1 GW project, for example, requires 40-80 hectares.

 

  • Adopt a Specialised Multi-Port Approach: To improve efficiency and reduce costs, ports should specialise in either foundation or turbine marshalling, a strategy used successfully in 67% of global ORE projects.

 

  • Secure Capital Funding: Ports lack the balance sheet capacity to fund the required development without Government support, loans, or grants.