Ireland’s West Coast, which experiences some of the strongest and most consistent wind speeds in Europe, due to its exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, presents the ideal environment for harnessing wind energy.
The first DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), being produced for the South Coast, was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas in May 2023. The ‘Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy’ policy statement, published in early 2024, set a timeline of Q4, 2024 for assessing the potential for accelerating the development of a West Coast DMAP and for examining the cost and viability of initiating floating offshore wind projects in this DMAP as Ireland seeks to support the development of this sector.
What is required now to bring these plans to fruition?
Shannon Chamber, in conjunction with Engineers Ireland, Thomond Region, is delighted to host a briefing on the development of floating offshore wind as a key component of Ireland’s renewable energy future, in line with the national Climate Action Plan. This collaborative event will bring together key stakeholders from the energy and economic sectors to explore the potential of offshore wind and align our efforts to achieve national renewable electricity targets.
We are pleased to welcome leading experts and practitioners who will provide insights and strategies on harnessing the power of offshore wind, focusing on the crucial intersection of energy policy, economic development, and technological advancement.
This briefing will focus on essential topics including:
- A global insight on offshore wind internationally & key transformational opportunities realised to date.
- How economic policies can effectively drive and support ambitious energy policy objectives.
- The critical role of engineering skills and cutting-edge technology in the successful deployment of offshore wind farms.
- Practical steps and best practices for developing and implementing offshore wind projects, from planning, permitting and design to construction and operation.
- Opportunities for collaboration and partnership between the energy and economic sectors to maximise the benefits of offshore wind development.
Who Should Attend?
Key stakeholders from the energy and economic sectors, including policymakers, industry leaders, engineers, supply chain specialists, representatives from national utilities, and representatives from the education sector focused on workforce development and skills training.
Why Attend?
This event offers a unique platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and forming strategic partnerships. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to contribute to the national renewable energy agenda and benefit from a sustainable energy future.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative initiative!
The benefits of developing this sector are too great to be ignored. The sector’s potential to boost local economies through new industry hubs, ports, and supply chains, is substantial.
Please book online to secure your place!
More speakers will be confirmed shortly…
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Timmy Dooley
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Guest Speaker
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Úna Brosnan
Innovative Climate Solutions Ltd.
Úna is the Founder & Director of Innovative Climate Solutions, driving the transition to sustainable energy. A Chartered Civil Engineer with a Masters in Sustainable Energy Systems, she brings over 23 years of industry experience, 15 dedicated to pioneering offshore wind. Her expertise spans fixed and floating wind projects, from development to supply chain and encompasses strategic market entry, policy shaping, government & stakeholder engagement and international partnerships. As Vice Chair of RenewableUK and co-lead of the Floating Wind Taskforce delivery, she actively works to shape the industry direction. She held a steering committee position for the UK’s Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) and has supported a number of international industry trade & technology bodies via roles in working groups and councils on an array of multi-discipline topic areas. She is also a member of the DETE Offshore Wind Industry Forum in Ireland.
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Barry O’Sullivan
Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce
Barry O’Sullivan is a member of the IDA Board since 2015 and currently chairs the Board sub-committee on Innovation and Sustainable Development. He recently chaired the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, and also the Action Plan for Jobs in the Mid West from 2015 to 2019. He was President of the American Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Barry recently completed 20 years with Johnson and Johnson where he was the Vice-President of Manufacturing for the Vision Care division and chair of the manufacturing leadership council for the company. After completing an Engineering degree in UCD, he spent 15 years in manufacturing and engineering roles in Ireland, UK and US, prior to joining J&J. He also holds Diplomas in Business and Executive Coaching from UCD and in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.
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Sheila Downes
Clare County Council
Sheila is the Environmental Assessment Officer with Clare County Council working predominately in the area of Forward Planning with a keen interest in the sustainable economic development of the Shannon Estuary and the maritime coastline of County Clare. Sheila has over 20 years’ experience in the fields of ecological assessment and reporting, environmental assessment of statutory and non-statutory plans and projects, stakeholder consultation and environmental advocacy. She has been involved in a wide range of infrastructure projects for local authorities and private commercial clients and has carried out a significant number of field surveys to inform Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports and Natura Impact Statements (NIS). Sheila was lead author on the preparation of the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary which led to the successful identification and zoning of sites for Marine Related Industry for the first time in Ireland. She holds s first class honours degree in Environmental Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in GIS, a Master’s with distinction in Environmental Management and an Advanced Diploma in Planning and Environmental Law. She is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Environmentalist with the Science Council. Sheila has a keen interest in the development of the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector and the transition and reform which is currently underway in Ireland with respect to Maritime Area Planning.
