80 new offshore wind farm jobs announced at Cork boatyard

Green Rebel Marine, a new business established to service the future needs of offshore wind farms, has announced plans to create 80 new jobs. 

The company has also acquired Crosshaven Boatyard in County Cork. The nine acre site will serve as a base for the new operation to survey, equip and service a network of planned wind farms along the Irish coast. 

Crosshaven Boatyard will continue its normal operations as a Boat Yard.

Green Rebel Marine has been founded by Cork businessman Pearse Flynn. 

Mr Flynn has invested €10 million of his own money into the project, including the purchase of two specially equipped, high tech ships to service this nascent industry.

The new jobs will be created in Crosshaven within the next 18 months. The first vessel – the Bibby Athena, which will be renamed to Roman Rebel - has already arrived into Cork. The second is scheduled to arrive later this year.

Plans for offshore wind farms are at an advanced stage with a number of potential fixed and floating operators examining sites along the coast from Dundalk in County Louth, to the Cork coast and beyond. 

Their construction will not only increase Ireland’s ability to produce renewable energy, it will also create an entire new sector dedicated to servicing their operation.

Pearse Flynn is from a fishing family in Ballycotton in County Cork. He believes that Green Rebel Marine will eventually support hundreds of jobs around the coast. 

Mr Flynn said, “Ireland is on the verge of a green revolution that will deliver 5 gigwatts of energy from wind not generated on land, but far out to sea. Green Rebel Marine will work alongside the operators of this new array of wind turbines to ensure they remain operational by using skilled mariners who are trained here. 

"We have already hired some of the industry’s leading scientists who will help conduct surveying in the months ahead, and our team will remain involved in these projects until they are operational and beyond. This is a new sector, and one that has incredible potential to deliver for our maritime community.” Green Rebel Marine also has plans to develop a centre of excellence in Crosshaven to train and develop the staff required to meet the future needs of the floating wind farm industry.

He added: “The cost of constructing these offshore, floating wind farms is coming down and there is a rush amongst operators to see who will be first to market. Unlike the challenges posed by such projects on land, these sea-based sites will be largely away from public view. 

"Ireland has the potential to become a net exporter of electricity within a decade, as opposed to relying on imported fossil fuels. Green Rebel Marine marries the best of the Blue and Green Economies. We will create and sustain Irish jobs and become a global leader in this field.”