Waterford businesses urged to prepare for offshore wind opportunities

Businesses across Waterford and the South East are being encouraged to prepare for the opportunities which could emerge from the development of offshore wind off the region's coast.

Government representatives, energy industry leaders and local businesses will gather in Dungarvan next week for a conference examining how the South East can capitalise on Ireland's growing offshore wind sector.

Powering the South East: Offshore Wind & Regional Opportunity will take place at the Park Hotel in Dungarvan on Friday, October 9, hosted by Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber.

The conference will examine the potential for offshore wind development to create new business opportunities, investment, employment and demand for skills across Waterford and the wider South East.

And organisers are stressing that the potential benefits are not confined to businesses already operating within the renewable energy sector.

Companies working in engineering, manufacturing, construction, electrical services, transport and logistics, technology, environmental services, training and hospitality could potentially form part of a growing offshore wind supply chain.

The conference comes at a significant time for Waterford following progress on plans for the major Tonn Nua offshore wind project.

The proposed wind farm, which would be located off the Waterford coast, is planned to have a 900MW capacity and could ultimately generate enough renewable electricity to power up to one million homes.

Tonn Nua is being developed by ESB in partnership with Danish renewable energy company Ørsted, after ESB was successful in the State's offshore wind auction for the site. The News & Star previously reported that the project could involve around 60 turbines across a 306 sq km area and is hoped to be operational by 2034.

Against that backdrop, next week's gathering will turn its attention to how businesses in Waterford and elsewhere in the South East can position themselves to benefit as the sector develops.

Discussions will include the infrastructure and port facilities needed to support offshore wind, how electricity generated offshore will be connected to the national grid, potential supply-chain opportunities and the skills and workforce that will be required.

The event will also consider what lessons the South East can draw from Denmark's established offshore wind industry.

ESB, Tonn Nua and EirGrid are strategic partners for the event, while representatives from Government, the energy sector, engineering and manufacturing, ports, education and regional businesses are expected to attend.

The conference is set to be officially opened by Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy. Denmark's Chargé d'Affaires, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, is also among those due to contribute to the programme.

The Chamber says its focus is on ensuring businesses understand the opportunities which could be created before the industry becomes established, allowing companies to determine whether their existing skills or services could be adapted to participate in the offshore wind supply chain.

The potential extends beyond companies directly involved in building turbines or generating electricity, with large-scale offshore developments requiring supporting services ranging from construction and engineering to logistics, maritime services, professional services and workforce training.

EirGrid will also address the infrastructure required to connect electricity generated offshore to Ireland's transmission system, an issue which organisers say will have implications for construction, engineering, supply chains and regional capacity.

Meanwhile, the development of skills and training for the emerging industry will form another strand of the day's discussions.

For Waterford businesses, the conference will also offer an opportunity to consider where they could fit into the sector long before construction of offshore projects reaches its peak. The development proposed off the Waterford coast would require a wide network of suppliers, contractors and specialist services over a number of years.

That could create opportunities for established companies in the region as well as businesses considering diversifying into the renewable energy sector. 

The event is therefore expected to focus not only on the scale of future investment, but on the practical steps South East businesses can take now to prepare for a developing industry.

The Powering the South East conference will run from 9am until 4pm at the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, on Friday, October 9. Standard tickets cost €30, with a reduced €10 rate available to Chamber members.