Ireland Collaborates with EIB to Develop Offshore Wind Ports

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Irish government have joined forces to support the development of port infrastructure for offshore wind projects in Ireland. This partnership aims to assess the capacity and demand for wind port infrastructure as Ireland looks to harness its vast coastline for offshore wind energy. The Irish government has set ambitious targets, aiming to install 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and reach 37 GW by 2050, requiring a significant investment of $33 billion in offshore renewable energy projects.

Currently, Ireland lacks the necessary port facilities to support large-scale offshore wind projects. Under the agreement with EIB, project-level advisory will be provided to five ports to potentially upgrade them into energy hubs. These upgraded ports will play a crucial role in the development, construction, and long-term operation of offshore wind projects. Additionally, EIB and the Department of Transport will assess the costs of infrastructure upgrades and explore viable financing strategies.

Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Transport, Eamon Ryan, emphasized the importance of addressing critical infrastructure needs at ports to support Ireland’s offshore wind potential. In 2023, Ireland held its first offshore wind auction (ORESS 1), selecting four projects with a combined capacity of 3.1 GW. The upcoming phase two auction (ORESS 2.1) scheduled for later this year will add around 900 MW capacity, focusing primarily on projects along the south coast of Ireland.

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