Offshore wind could support upwards of 5,000 jobs by 2037, a new report published on the Western Development Commission (WDC) website says.
The report says that offshore wind could generate up to €400 million in gross value add (GVA) annually by 2037 also.
It says that engineering, applied sciences, logistics and supply chain management will be “essential skills for the growth of the wind energy industry in the Atlantic region”.
Other occupations and skills required to support the industry include science and humanities; construction and technical; legal and professional services; transport; electrical maintenance and infrastructure, it says.
The report compiled by Dublin Offshore Consultants and Bigger Economics was presented to stakeholders across the region late last week.
The report considered three build-out scenarios across the Atlantic region. These allow projections under “Steady”, “Rapid”, and “Aspirational” outcomes.
The projections from the analysis in the study indicate that the offshore wind sector will overtake the onshore industry in the Atlantic region within 15 years.
The study also identifies several barriers to success and makes a number of key recommendations.
These include the delivery of a regionally inclusive national energy strategy to coordinate route to market and grid upgrades along the Atlantic region.
It also recommends developing new courses and centres targeting the wind energy sector, with a particular emphasis on floating offshore wind skills and expertise not currently offered by Irish educational bodies.
The study was commissioned by the Mid-West, North-West and West regional enterprise offices.
It was funded by the WDC, along with Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, Clare County Council, Donegal County Council, Leitrim County Council, Limerick County Council, Mayo County Council and Tipperary County Council.
The full report can be downloaded below