WEST CLARE is at risk of being “short-changed” when it comes to offshore wind projects while Kerry would take better “advantage” of Moneypoint if it was in their county, according to elected members of the Council.
Last week, plans for the 450MW Sceirde Rocks offshore windfarm off the coast of Clare and Galway after the developers Corio Generation and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan opted not to proceed with their plans for the €1.4bn project.
Offshore energy offers potential for Co Clare but the continued trend of developers leaving the field is a concern.
In 2021, ESB announced details of their future vision, Green Atlantic at Moneypoint, which will see the site redeveloped into a renewables hub which will include the commissioning of one of the largest Synchronous Condensors in the world, a 1,400 MW offshore wind farm, delivered in two phases, a wind turbine construction and service hub plus the development of green hydrogen production, storage and generation facility.
Equinor initially partnered with ESB on the project but withdrew in November 2021 citing local regulatory uncertainty. In 2022, energy giant Shell exited the Irish offshore wind energy market, having been working in partnership with Irish marine renewable energy developer, Simply Blue. In June 2023, ESB confirmed they would jointly develop with Ørsted an offshore wind energy farm portfolio off the west and east coast including Moneypoint.
In a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) requested a briefing with Clare County Council’s planning department to discuss applications on the installation of HV cables for offshore wind projects across the county’s landscape. This engagement was to focus on the Council’s statutory functions along with current and future projects.
He outlined, “We need to discuss the ins and outs of these projects”. Community funds for various projects is leaving Clare “short-changed and there is no doubt about it,” Lynch maintained. “Are we getting the economic boom to where these places are or is it all a talking shop,” he asked. “There was huge hope for the Maritime Centre, up until this week I’m convinced it is ten years away, there is nobody chomping at the bit, people are willing to invest in community fund but not the maritime centre,” the Kilrush representative added.
A clear outline on the requirements must be known, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) stressed. “How will our peninsula and clare gain from this, it is a bit late after application goes in to have possible gains for the county, we need to set out our stall”. He continued, “If Moneypoint was down in Kerry, you’d pay well to get into it because they would take full advantage of it”.
