12th December 2022
The Shannon Estuary has the potential to be the premier location in Ireland for offshore renewable energy as well as a transport hub for Ireland, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said today as he published the Interim Report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce.
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.
There is also big potential in onshore energy generation by installing solar panels, and new anaerobic digestion facilities.
The Estuary Region has the potential to double tourist numbers by becoming a destination for outdoor sports and adventure, business and leisure events, and cruise ship arrivals.
The Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce was set up by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last April on foot of a Programme for Government commitment to develop an economic action plan for the area. This Interim Report is an important milestone, outlining a vision for the Estuary area and how to achieve it.
It follows extensive consultation with regional, national, and international stakeholders across industry, Government, Local Authorities, elected officials, and members of the public.
Commenting on the Interim Report, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“The significant potential of the Shannon Estuary area to stimulate sustainable economic growth not only for the region, but for the country, based on the abundant renewable energy resource, and the economic transformation which that can bring, is very clear.
“The publication of this Interim Report is very timely in the context of the global climate emergency, and security of energy concerns arising from the war in Ukraine.
“I look forward to the Taskforce’s final report, and I would like to thank the Taskforce for their commitment and work to date."
The Tánaiste said:
“This Report sets out big ambitions for the Shannon Region and rises to the challenge of global issues like the climate crisis and moving away from fossil fuels.
“I’m excited to see the proposals for renewable energy, industry, tourism, and logistics in this interim report. It should result in significant job growth and new business opportunities.
“The wide focus of this Report across many economic sectors will ensure that any growth is sustainable. I commend the Taskforce and its Chairman Barry O’Sullivan for its work to date, and I look forward to engaging with the Taskforce as it completes this important body of work.”
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Transport, Eamon Ryan, said:
“I very much welcome the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce’s Interim Report. The Shannon Estuary is an area with significant natural assets, and this report shows not only the benefits of harnessing these in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, but the urgency of doing so.
“Ireland and Europe are at a crossroads in terms of our response to the climate crisis. The Shannon Estuary has a proud history of leading innovation in energy; the Ardnacrusha Hydro-electric power station was a truly ambitious project almost 100 years ago. We now look to the Estuary for our next major energy transformation, and today’s report begins to map out the Estuary’s response.
“I was very pleased to meet the Taskforce recently, and I look forward to engaging with them again in the future as they develop their action plan.”
The Taskforce Chairman, Barry O'Sullivan said:
“The Interim Report marks a significant milestone in the work of the Taskforce. It outlines a clear vision for the Shannon Estuary region and signals the national and European issues that we believe the region can help solve.
“I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Taskforce for their dedication and commitment to this work to date.
“On behalf of the Taskforce, I would like to express our gratitude to all of the stakeholders whose valuable contributions have helped shape our work. I very much look forward to engaging further with all involved as we finalise our recommendations."
Link to the Interim Report - Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce Interim Report November 2022
Ends.
Notes for Editor
Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce - Terms of Reference
The Programme for Government committed to supporting the Shannon Estuary and surrounding area through the establishment of a Taskforce to evaluate the economic development potential of the area and determining how this potential can be realised in both an economically and environmentally sustainable way.
The Taskforce was established on 21 April 2022 and comprises leaders in industry and academia from across the Shannon Estuary area.
The Terms of Reference for the taskforce are to:
- Assess the strategic strengths and comparative advantages of the Shannon Estuary from an investment and enterprise development perspective, in a national and international context;
- Scope potential areas of opportunity for the Shannon Estuary and specify policy and investment requirements to exploit those areas of potential;
- Assess the current connectivity of the region and make recommendations as to how this could be enhanced;
- Specify the actions required from national and local government, as well as from other stakeholders, to exploit those areas of potential;
- Produce a Report and associated Action Plan with specific steps in areas of potential.
Membership
Members were selected following an open call for expressions of interest.
The members of the Taskforce are:
- Barry O’Sullivan - IDA Board Member, formerly Johnson & Johnson (Taskforce Chair)
- Mary Considine - CEO, Shannon Airport Group
- Siobhan Dolan Clancy - MD, SDC Business Consulting Ltd
- Seán Hegarty - Dispatchable Generation, Storage & Regeneration Manager, ESB
- Seamus Hoyne - Dean of Flexible and Workplace Learning, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
- Pat Keating - CEO, Shannon Foynes Port Company
- Professor Eamonn Murphy - University of Limerick and Chair of Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan
- Dr Brendan O‘Donnell - Vice President Research and Vice President Academic Affairs & Registrar, Munster Technological University
- Dee Ryan - CEO, Limerick Chamber
- Professor Luuk van der Wielen - Director, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick
- Rotating representative from group of Local Authority Chief Executives – Pat Daly, Limerick City and County Council; Pat Dowling, Clare County Council; Joe McGrath, Tipperary County Council; Moira Murrell, Kerry County Council
The Taskforce are supported by senior officials from relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
The Taskforce can be contacted at: ShannonTaskforce@enterprise.gov.ie
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