Floating offshore wind has “great potential,” not just for Ireland’s economic development, but also to power large parts of Europe from Ireland without the need for carbon emissions.
That’s according to Fianna Fáil Senator for Clare and Seanad Spokesperson on Climate Action, Timmy Dooley, who has also called for the government to embed a unit within the IDA to coordinate the activity of all stakeholders involved in delivering floating offshore wind.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Dooley said it is disheartening that OPEC and other fossil fuel-dominant countries are holding the world to ransom, but more can be done here in Ireland.
He said: “I am conscious floating offshore wind is one of the great potentials this country has, not just for economic development here but also to power large parts of Europe from the rest of Ireland without the need for carbon emissions. Other countries in Europe are moving ahead. Scotland and other parts of Britain and Portugal have embraced the opportunity and are steaming ahead. We have been talking about it for a long time but in terms of actual flesh on the bones, we have been relatively slow to make progress.”
Senator Dooley concluded: “We talk about bringing power onshore by 2032, but a lot has to happen. Infrastructure has to be built and port development has to take place. We have to build wind turbines and the platforms on which they will reside, well out into the Atlantic Ocean and I do not feel as though the level of co-ordination is there to make it happen. I appeal to the Government to look at embedding a unit within the IDA to co-ordinate this activity with all the stakeholders and interest groups to try to bring it to fruition. I am also conscious that, from a policy perspective, we need to move.
“A third phase of the future framework policy is scheduled for quarter 1 of 2024, and it is important that part of that will ensure the designation of the marine area plans be undertaken. In addition, I believe a 400 MW floating wind demonstrator, to be included in the renewable energy support scheme, should form a part of that phase. If we are to get to our target of bringing the power ashore by 2032, we will need to have taken steps well in advance of that.”