The Shannon Airport Group has welcomed the publication of the Shannon Estuary Taskforce Interim Report which sets out the vision to make the estuary a significant transport hub and prime location for renewable energy.
The Taskforce’s Interim Report sets out how the Region 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.
Taskforce member and CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine said, “The launch and adoption of this interim report by Government is a significant milestone. The Shannon Estuary presents an opportunity to transform Ireland’s & Europe’s sustainability & growth strategy with huge potential for both offshore & onshore renewable energy.
“The realisation of this vision will provide regional balance, benefiting quality of life, employment opportunities, regional growth, and helping to achieve the national target of reducing transport emissions by 51% by 2030.
“This roadmap also outlines the exciting potential for diverse communities through green-digital economic development, and tourism and leisure for the region.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of our business and The Shannon Airport Group is proud to support this vision through the work of our team, and the valued longstanding partnerships we have with industry across the aviation, property, tourism, energy, and the transport sector.
“Our latest partnership with the ESB on the feasibility of developing a sustainable green hydrogen plant at Shannon, demonstrates our commitment to delivering a better future for all across the region and country. I look forward to working as part of the Taskforce team to finalise the report and help drive this vision forward.”
Please see the full statement from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment here: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/
