Displaying items by tag: Upgrade

8th August 2022

Port of Galway: Upgrade 'Could Become Naval Base’ Says MEP

An upgraded Port of Galway could potentially be used as a navy base, says a West of Ireland MEP.

Midlands-North-West MEP Colm Markey, who sits on the European Parliament's Transport Committee, spoke in light of last month's report from the Defence Forces Commission.

The MEP, who has done extensive work towards obtaining Trans-European Transport Network status (TEN-T) for Galway Port, said the proposal made 'perfect sense'.

"Alongside enormous potentials in offshore wind, hydrogen production, and tourism expansion, Galway port acting as a naval base is another layer of potential for an upgraded port," he said.

"The Commission on the Defence Forces report recognised the need for heightened naval activity.

"There could be a need for a naval port along the west coast, and given the proximity to Renmore Barracks, Galway port makes perfect sense," he added.

But he acknowledged that this would only make sense 'following significant investment in the port, and parallel to the delivery of other key service capacity for the port'.

Connacht Tribune reports more here to include that the CEO of Galway Harbour Company led a recent delegation to Brussels.

Published in Galway Harbour

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.