Lack of Government support hindering offshore energy

Lack of Government support hinders the development of an Irish offshore green energy industry, new research says.

Businesses bidding to enter the Republic’s offshore renewable energy industry face more bureaucratic, regulatory and infrastructural barriers than their European counterparts.

New research by Cork University Business School shows that companies blame insufficient Government support and funding for many of the problems they encounter.

According to Dr Frank Crowley, University College Cork’s codirector of spatial and regional economics research, State institutions, including An Bord Pleanála, lack the resources and expertise that the industry needs.

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“That’s why we’re not seeing a huge amount of activity, even though we have a comparative advantage in this area,” he said.

Dr Crowley noted that Ireland had the natural resources and geography to make it a global leader in the industry.

“But now, I don’t see the commitment or the will from Government,” he added.

The report, Innovation, Networking and Policy in the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector, finds that companies highlight “insufficient support and engagement by Government and a lack of funding” as key barriers.

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More than 200 companies took part in the study, including energy businesses, suppliers, technology firms, engineers and consultants.

“Basically any private firm that could be operating within the offshore sector,” Dr Crowley confirmed.

“The biggest thing is the support, the infrastructure is not there,” he explained.

Uncertainty surrounding planning, grid connections, port infrastructure, add to the problems, Dr Crowley pointed out.

Cork University Business School published the report as Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, pledged to produce a national industrial strategy for offshore wind.

Mr Coveney said the plan would set out how the Republic could best cash in on the opportunities that developing offshore wind would present.

Government hopes the Republic can move from almost no offshore energy to generating almost enough electricity to meet winter peak demand from offshore wind farms by 2030.