€230m wind energy boost for Cork predicted before 2030

A document setting out the future vision of Cork County Council for renewable energy in Cork Harbour reveals there will be a significant increase in the number of wind-turbine farms off the coast of the county between now and 2050. 

This will result in a wind-generating capacity before 2030 of 450 megawatts and a potential economic benefit to the region of €230m.

‘A Renewable Energy Vision for Cork Harbour’ reveals that Cork is already a net exporter of renewable energy and suggests that harnessing the county’s offshore wind resource would “allow the State to become a significant exporter of renewable energy, goods and services”.

“The economic uplift from building the initially planned, 450megawatts of offshore wind generation off the Cork coast is estimated at €230m, with significant, additional generating capacity and economic uplift delivering further regional and economic benefits”, the document predicts.

“By 2030, Cork Harbour and coastline have the potential to be a significant offshore renewable energy hub.

“Offshore wind generators will be operating off the Cork coast, providing large volumes of renewable power to the all-island grid.

“Cork Harbour will have established and activated wind assembly, marshalling, and servicing capability.

“The Celtic Interconnector, Ireland’s first high-capacity electricity connection to mainland Europe, will be operational while the Kestrel gas-storage facility will be well under development.

“Abundant, offshore renewable energy will enable the decarbonisation of industrial demand and future fuel demonstration projects, developing the pathways to decarbonise the Irish economy.”

Among the predictions contained in the document for what will be in place by 2050 include:

• Cork Harbour and coastline can become zero-carbon energy hubs, integrating offshore renewables with future fuel production and seasonal energy storage;
• The addition of floating off-shore wind [farms] can enable Cork to become a significant exporter of renewable energy, both nationally and internationally;
• Future fuels, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia and e-SAF, can be produced in Cork using offshore renewables, serving local and national needs;
• Large volumes of green hydrogen can be stored at the Kestrel gas-storage facility, providing energy security for Ireland and serving regional industrial needs;

The Cork Harbour and coastline can be a hub of green industry investment, combining foreign direct investment in offshore renewables and industry.

The document was mentioned at Cork County Council’s meeting on Monday, when a councillor raised it as a point of order and said it had not been circulated to her.

QUERY

The exchange about the document involved the authority’s chief executive, Valerie O’Sullivan, who was responding to a query from Independent councillor Marcia D’Alton.

According to Ms D’Alton, who raised her concern as a point of order, the document was described on the agenda of this week’s meeting as setting out Cork County Council’s renewable energy vision “for the place where I live [Carrigaline]”.

“I am told it’s gone through CPG [the Corporate Policy Group] and I haven’t seen it and it’s come through here,” said Ms D’Alton.

“At some stage, my constituents are going to say that passed through you and I don’t know what we’ve been informed of, I have no idea.”

Ms O’Sullivan responded to say that the report was on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, “out of courtesy to the members to let them know that it had been proposed, and discussed, and seconded at CPG” and, according to statute, it didn’t need to be proposed, seconded or adapted [at full council].

“There is nothing untoward in this. It is a position paper for Cork County Council to be positioned to be a first and early mover to take advantage of potential on-shore consequences of, hopefully, off-shore energy of Cork Harbour and coastline.

“It’s a message to stake holders that we’re ready to capitalise on it: That’s all it is,” she said, adding that council staff would be very happy to take the councillor through the document.

Cork County Council officials were congratulated by Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kanturk area in north Cork, Bernard Moynihan, for the vision outlined in the document, while County Mayor Frank O’Flynn said he was delighted with the document.

“It’s 16 years since the last offshore windfarm was put in place, 16 long years: Isn’t it about time something was done about it and I’m delighted Cork County Council is doing it.” Ms D’Alton, who raised the issue, said she was sure she would welcome the document too, once she had seen and read it.

The chief executive said that the document would be circulated among councillors.