Waterford Port Chief: 'One project will not make an industry'

The CEO of the Port of Waterford has warned that investment in the regional ports is necessary for the financial benefits of the Tonn Nua offshore wind farm to be realised in the south east. 

"If the offshore windfarms get built, but they are not built from Irish ports, the regional economic benefits will be realised across British ports," said David Sinnott, Chief Executive of the Port of Waterford, "One project will not make an industry."

Speaking to regional stakeholders at an Offshore Wind conference at Waterford Port, Mr Sinnott said that the Port of Waterford was celebrating its 1,111th year in operation this year and that the port "intends to make 2025 a memorable year" for offshore wind.

Mr Sinnott said that for the "first 900 years" of the port's history it had been "the economic driver of the city" before settling into a role in support of the farming and agri-business industries in recent years. The port chief said that the port was well-positioned to once again play "a big role in driving the economy" for the region with regard to offshore wind.

The port is planning its future with serious consideration to the offshore wind energy industry, Mr Sinnott said, "We expect to be an operations and maintenance base, but we also expect to be able to offer support during the construction phase of wind farms."

The President of Waterford Chamber, Kevin Doolin said that "2025 has the potential to be a pivotal year for offshore wind in Ireland, particularly for the South East.

"We stand at the brink of a transformative era, but as highlighted by today's contributors, realizing this potential requires urgent government action. Investment in port infrastructure, expansion of grid capacity, streamlined planning, and the development of a skilled workforce are critical to unlocking Ireland’s offshore wind opportunities."

Doolin called for a "clear roadmap for future auctions and a well-structured pipeline of plan-led projects" in order to attract investment by "bolstering developer confidence, and driving economic growth in the region."

"This is our moment to move from the periphery to the forefront of Ireland’s renewable energy future," he said, "Waterford Chamber has done extensive work in terms of lobbying for offshore wind, we understand the opportunities and the far-reaching benefits it will have for our region."

Doolin said that the "development of offshore wind energy projects in the South East" will provide substantial opportunities for local businesses, workers and communities.

"From the creation of high-quality jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance to the establishment of a local supply chain, the offshore wind sector will provide a foundation for long-term economic resilience in the region."

Doolin highlighted the positive impacts of offshore wind projects on "significantly reduce[ing] carbon emissions, helping Ireland meet its renewable energy targets and play a leadership role in the global fight against climate change."

“We are excited to see companies like Energia and Vargronn leading the way, and we fully support the continued development of this sector in our region," he said, "Not only will these projects help meet Ireland’s energy needs, but they will also position the South East as a centre of excellence in the green energy transition."