The ESB and Rosslare Europort have agreed to co-operate on a series of development plans for offshore wind projects in the Celtic and Irish Seas.

Last week, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will see both parties combine their resources to establish Rosslare Europort as Ireland's primary offshore renewables hub.

To achieve this, the port will require infrastructure upgrades, such as a purpose-built quay and berth, a quayside storage area, a navigable channel dredged to a depth of nine to 11 metres, a management control centre and facilities for maintenance and operations staff.

Climate objectives

Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers remarked that offshore renewable energy is crucial in meeting Ireland's climate change objectives.

In 2022, Ireland established new targets of 37GW in offshore wind power by 2050, with a September 2022 report from Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions stating that the country lacked sufficient ports to meet these goals.

Head of offshore wind and hydrogen at ESB Paul Lennon stated that his organisation would collaborate with Iarnród Eireann to ensure that Rosslare Europort had suitable port infrastructure to enable successful renewable energy project implementation. Director of commercial business units for Iarnród Éireann at Rosslare Europort Glenn Carr expressed excitement in working with ESB to establish the renewable energy industry at the core of Ireland's decarbonised future.