Irish port wants to become offshore wind energy hub

Rosslare Europort has outlined its vision to become the Offshore Renewable Energy Hub of Ireland at a seminar in the Terminal Building today. At the event, Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann (Port Authority for Rosslare Europort) and Rosslare Europort General Manager Glenn Carr welcomed local, national and international industry and government representatives to the port, including Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne TD. Stakeholders discussed plans to make this vision a reality, and the economic and environmental potential the ORE industry holds for the South East region.

The Offshore Renewable Energy hub plan represents an investment estimated at €200 million, and will be aligned with existing developments such as:

• Rosslare Europort Masterplan, including port digitalisation: These works will reflect its status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe and will include new freight and passenger facilities, storage, export and import facilities, berth extension. Matching the port’s physical transformation, a digitalisation of systems and operations is also planned which will deliver a better, more effective and more efficient Port 
• Office of Public Works Project T7, to develop a permanent Border Control Post within the port, to provide the facilities and systems for all aspects of Border Control 
• New TII N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road will ensure a better experience for port users and enhance quality of life for those living and working in the area by taking trucks out of the village and improving access and connectivity to the port. 
•  In total, these developments and the ORE Hub plan will see a total of €350 million invested in the port and its environs.

There are significant works required including an ORE purpose-built quay and berth and ORE quayside storage and pre-construction of up to 50 acres in area. Furthermore, a navigable channel needs to be dredged down to a minimum of 9 metres depth and a Management Control Centre & management offices and facilities need to be built.

Rosslare Europort is ideally positioned to serve the many Offshore Wind developments planned in the Irish and Celtic seas, the majority of which are located within 100 nautical miles of Rosslare, ther porr said in a statement.