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Image:Tadhg O’Keeffe
Ireland; The Port of Cork is making significant strides to become a central hub for offshore wind energy projects in Ireland. Through a series of strategic investments and partnerships, the port aims to support the nation’s transition to renewable energy and meet climate targets set for 2030 and beyond.
In a notable development, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has committed €88.5 million to the Port of Cork Company (PoCC). This funding is earmarked for the construction of additional facilities at the Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy, enabling the port to accommodate the large-scale storage and assembly needs of offshore wind projects. Donal Murphy, Senior Investment Specialist at ISIF, highlighted the dual benefits of this investment, stating it supports Ireland’s move towards a Net Zero economy while also stimulating trade and economic activity in the southern region.
Complementing this, the European Union has approved a €38.4 million grant from its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to further develop the port’s infrastructure. This grant will finance the construction of two quay berth extensions at Ringaskiddy, enhancing the port’s capacity to handle a greater volume of vessels and improving throughput efficiency. The planned extensions include a 200-meter addition to the existing container berth and a 182-meter extension to the deepwater berth, both equipped with necessary utilities and power infrastructure.
These investments are part of the Port of Cork’s ambitious Masterplan 2050, which outlines the development of multi-purpose berths to serve a broader range of international customers. Interim CEO Donal Crowley expressed enthusiasm about these developments, emphasizing the port’s commitment to supporting offshore renewable energy infrastructure and aiding Ireland in achieving its climate objectives.
Further strengthening its position in the renewable energy sector, the Port of Cork Company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). This collaboration focuses on leveraging both entities’ expertise to advance offshore wind and green hydrogen developments, aligning with Ireland’s goal of generating at least 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.
