Irish offshore wind goal praised at Wind Energy Ireland conference

Séamus McCabe, Senior Development Director at Corio Generation, speaking at WindEnergy Ireland’s 2022 Offshore Wind Conference in Dublin – which is sponsored by Corio Generation – said he was “delighted to see Ireland take full advantage of pioneering advances in offshore wind technology”.

“Ireland has made a bold and ambitious commitment to deliver 7 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. We are fully behind this vision and determined to work closely with local communities and government to ensure Sceirde Rocks makes a critical contribution towards this target as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Offshore wind offers a vital new source of clean, affordable and homegrown electricity, reducing Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and addressing climate change. If the Sceirde Rocks Windfarm is awarded planning permission, it could provide significant community investment and employment opportunities and, over the long-term, help to lower energy bills and offer energy security.”

In line with the requirements of the proposed Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, the Sceirde Rocks project would lead to the establishment a Community Benefit Fund. Once the project becomes operational, the multi-million-euro fund will be available to groups in South West Connemara over a 15-year period, to support a range of sustainable community initiatives.

Fuinneamh Sceirde Teoranta was acquired by the Green Investment Group (GIG) in September 2021 and is now managed by Corio Generation, which was established as a specialist offshore wind business by GIG in April 2022.