'Shannon Estuary can be Ireland's top location for offshore renewable energy'
THE SHANNON Estuary has the potential to be Ireland's top location for offshore renewable energy as well as being a transport hub for the country.
That's according to An Tanaiste Leo Varadkar who this Monday published the interim report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce.
The group was set up to identify ways of exploiting the huge natural asset, which covers Limerick, Clare and Kerry, and is chaired by former Johnson and Johnson boss Barry O'Sullivan.
It's initial report contains a number of recommendations setting out how the Mid-West can play a leading role in the switch to renewable energy and more climate-friendly ways of living and doing business.
The estuary would also become a hub for sustainable transport technologies and a western “Digital Gateway” to Europe.
It proposes significant investment in the ports at Foynes and Moneypoint, a new auction for floating wind generation in 2024, and identifying industrial sites for clean energy industries like hydrogen.
The report sets out the taskforce’s ambition to begin supplying Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy through the Estuary by 2030, with the intention to significantly accelerating it up to 2050.
There is also big potential in onshore energy generation by installing solar panels, and new anaerobic digestion facilities.
The region has the potential to double tourist numbers by becoming a destination for outdoor sports and adventure, business and leisure events, and cruise ship arrivals.
The taskforce was set up by the Mr Varadkar, also Enterprise Minister, last April following a Programme for Government commitment to develop an economic action plan for the area.
This report follows consultation with regional, national, and international groups across industry, government, local authorities, elected officials, and members of the public.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "The significant potential of the Shannon Estuary area to stimulate sustainable economic growth not only for the region, but for the country, based on the abundant renewable energy resource, and the economic transformation which that can bring, is very clear. The publication of this interim report is very timely in the context of the global climate emergency, and security of energy concerns arising from the war in Ukraine.
Mr Varadkar added: "This report sets out big ambitions for the Shannon Region and rises to the challenge of global issues like the climate crisis and moving away from fossil fuels. I’m excited to see the proposals for renewable energy, industry, tourism, and logistics in this interim report. It should result in significant job growth and new business opportunities."
Taskforce chairman Mr O'Sullivan hailed the report's release as a "significant milestone" in the group's work.
"It outlines a clear vision for the Shannon Estuary region and signals the national and European issues that we believe the region can help solve," he said.