Dutch investment in Irish offshore wind sector

Confidence in the future of offshore wind production in Irish waters has been bolstered by the acquisition  of a 200,000 sqm site at the port of Rosslare for a logistics centre to service the  sector.

Investment of around €40m by Dutch company Xellz will underpin development of Rosslare Europe Business Park which will employ up to 100 in the construction phase and tens of that number at pre-installation, assembly and mobilisation stages.

Petrus Bouwhuis, CEO of Xellz BV said the park would serve future offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea:

“EBP’s land gives direct access to the quay for loading and offloading of offshore wind equipment, and we are now ready to talk to interested parties.”

The park is expected to attract businesses directly related to the offshore wind industry. The space will offer storage and assembly areas for wind turbines, transition pieces and mobilisation equipment. Space will also be available for SME ancillary services in maintenance and repair.

Renewables in Ireland 

The Irish government has set out the country’s clear commitment to reduce carbon emissions with offshore wind expected to play a part.

In July 2019, government adopted a Climate Action Plan  that specifies, a plan for renewables to provide 70% of electricity generation by 2030. Offshore wind is expected to deliver at least 3.5 GW in support of reaching this target.

At the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland would phase out oil exploration in Irish offshore waters:

“It was a victory for the environment because drilling causes massive destruction, regardless of whether oil is discovered or not. It also sets down a marker, we’ll be out of fossil fuels by 2050 starting with oil, coal and peat.”

At the beginning of December 2019, the Irish Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment announced details of the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction,which has received government approval.

The RESS is an auction-based scheme that invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. Subject to state aid approval, the first auction is set to open this year.