ESB, Port of Cork Partner to Help Spearhead Ireland’s Green Energy Development

February 15, 2023, by Adnan Memija

ESB and the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development of Ireland’s offshore wind and green hydrogen development.

The collaboration will enable both parties to utilise and share their expertise to progress plans for Ireland’s offshore wind and green hydrogen development.

Under ESB’s sustainability strategy Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040, collaboration with partners such as the Port of Cork, will play a critical role as the company progresses its development of renewable energy in Ireland, ESB said.

The PoCC shares the same ambition to work with its partners to realise Cork Harbour’s potential as a renewable energy hub, as outlined in its regional development strategy, Port Masterplan 2050, according to the Irish utility company.

“We are delighted to partner with the Port of Cork Company as we explore the real opportunities and benefits that offshore wind energy and hydrogen will provide both locally, and nationally in the future. This collaboration is important for both organisations as we strive to achieve net-zero emissions and develop the infrastructure that is required for producing, storing and distributing clean energy”, said Ciaran McManus, Asset Development Manager at ESB.

This partnership also supports the Government’s Climate Action Plan and its ambition to increase the proportion of renewable electricity up to 80 per cent by 2030 and a target of at least 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, ESB said.

In July 2022, Ireland raised its offshore wind target for 2030 from 5 GW to 7 GW after reaching an agreement on Sectoral Emissions Ceilings.

At the end of last year, a geophysical survey was conducted at the Oriel Wind Park project off County Louth in the Iris Sea, which is one of five offshore wind projects ESB is planning to bring to realisation in its country.

When it comes to the Port of Cork, the company recently signed MoU with the Port of Amsterdam and EIH2 to establish a supply chain for green hydrogen between Ireland and Europe.