Irish National Ports Study 2022

With the offshore wind industry in Ireland gaining momentum, consideration is needed for the practical aspects of how these large-scale offshore installations will be delivered. Port infrastructure is widely recognised as an area requiring attention. Ports and suitable port infrastructure are key to the successful delivery of offshore wind projects, with all turbine components and foundations transported through these gateways. Port locations serve as a link between marine and landside activities and often become a hub for supply chain activity. Whilst it is well recognised that ports perform several critical functions within the offshore wind industry, there is a significant lack of suitable port infrastructure across Europe and particularly within Ireland at present. The purpose of this document is to provide a synthesis of Irish port infrastructure, with a focus on those ports that are suitable, or have the potential to be made suitable, to support the marshalling of offshore renewable energy projects. Ports across the entire island of Ireland were considered (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). The study considered the existing infrastructure and the gaps which need to be addressed to ensure Ireland can deliver the projects required under the Climate Action Plan and the Programme for Government. The port study has been completed by Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions (GDG) on behalf of Wind Energy Ireland (WEI). The study has been funded by an advisory group made up of the following organisations: Belfast Harbour, DP Energy, ESB, Inis Offshore Wind, Ocean Winds, Ørsted, RWE Renewables and Source Energie. The involvement of the wider group has allowed for engagement and collaboration between GDG as consultants undertaking the study, several established offshore developers and an active port operator with experience of hosting staging and marshalling activities. The scope of the work addresses infrastructure requirements for the facilitation of port staging and marshalling facilities and assesses suitability for both fixed and floating wind