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Bechtel delivers port masterplan supporting Ireland’s emerging offshore wind industry

04 November 2022 London

Masterplan puts Shannon Foynes Port in Ireland on course to become international floating offshore wind energy hub

The Shannon Estuary in Ireland presents a unique opportunity and is best placed in Ireland and Europe to develop the Atlantic floating offshore wind industry and help the country reach its climate goals, according to a new report.

The review of the Shannon Foynes Port Company’s Vision 2041 masterplan by global experts Bechtel supports the development of offshore wind and explains how the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary, almost unrivalled in European context, would not only facilitate the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale from Europe’s best wind regime on Ireland’s west coast but help decongest the Irish supply chain through the provision of road and rail linked container services.

The report, which was launched by Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD, found that development of the Shannon Foynes Port would play a vital role in helping Ireland meet its net zero obligations by 2050. It would also contribute significantly to Europe’s efforts, through its REPowerEU plan, to unwind its dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports and accelerate the expansion of renewables.  

The full report can be downloaded here.