The Irish Government’s recently unveiled Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy is an important step toward supporting Irish businesses, leveraging Ireland’s abundant wind resources. However, while the strategy rightly emphasises bolstering the offshore wind supply chain, it could benefit from a more direct and stronger emphasis on developing the crucial grid infrastructure and lead in the development of grid technologies that are critical to Ireland’s energy and climate goals.
SuperNode CEO John Fitzgerald welcomed the new Industrial Strategy.
“The Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy is a hugely positive commitment from Government to support Irish business and capitalise on Ireland’s abundant wind resource. The strategy could provide support for the entire offshore wind supply chain but should give more targeted support for the development of the grid. This island on the edge of Europe has the best wind resources in Europe. Ireland is in possession of an offshore energy resource more valuable per citizen than anywhere else. We would squander a rare opportunity if we don’t start to urgently plan how to get the energy to consumers throughout Europe.”
The Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE) has collaborated with other government bodies in the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT) to develop Ireland’s first ORE industrial strategy. This strategy outlines 40 actions to be implemented between 2024 and 2025 aimed at strengthening the offshore wind supply chain in Ireland.
Fitzgerald continued:
“The grid is absolutely essential to our renewable energy, energy independence and climate ambitions and we should look to become leaders in the development of those innovative grid technologies needed to deliver it to families and businesses.”
While these actions can certainly enhance the Irish supply chain, the strategy overlooks a significant opportunity by not providing a clear plan for grid technology development. Given Ireland’s offshore wind potential and strategic location as an island, a robust grid infrastructure is paramount. Without adequate grid technology and architecture, Ireland risks squandering the energy and economic opportunities presented by its resources. Ireland should aspire to lead in grid technology and position itself as a European hub for innovative grid solutions.
SuperNode specifically welcomes the following actions:
Action 4: Deliver long-term strategic funding options to support scaling Irish offshore wind supply chain companies.
Action 17: Utilise Ireland’s membership of Cooperation Alliances such as NSEC, and existing bilateral agreements with European partners to advance the development of international OWE supply chain opportunities.
Action 18: Identify potential new actions for inclusion in the third Germany – Ireland JPoA focused on cooperation in the area of OWE supply chains.
Action 19: Seek opportunities to develop strategic partnership with other countries or organisations, including in the form of MoUs or DoIs, to enable knowledge sharing and growth of the supply chain in Ireland.
Action 24: Engaging with existing structures, identify RD&I focus areas/major challenges facing industry in relation to OWE.
Action 29: Examine the case for the development of a regulatory sandbox for offshore wind and related technologies.
Action 39: Establish a pilot framework to enable aligned delivery of offshore generation, grid and routes to market to include consideration of large energy users.
You can find the full strategy here: Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy