Wind energy potential off west coast ‘akin to discovery of crude oil’

From the Galway City Tribune – Wind energy awaiting to be harnessed off the west coast of Ireland could be akin to the discovery in the past of crude oil and natural gas under the ocean bed – and Galway Port is in the perfect place to act as a focal point for these projects.

That was the view of Port of Galway CEO, Conor O’Dowd, when a presentation was made to city councillors at a meeting on Monday, outlining the potential for the harbour in the years ahead.

He said that the wind speeds off the north-west coast of Ireland were the best in Europe and the UK with Galway ideally situated to capitalise on this form of natural energy.

“The outlook for wind energy along the west and north-west coasts is pretty strong while the proposed hydrogen hub for Galway [known as GH2] is also an extremely interesting area,” said Mr O’Dowd.

He added, however, that Galway’s role in these projects would involve a major investment in the port facilities over the coming years.

In a presentation to the City Council – made by Conor O’Dowd and Port Chairperson, Maurice O’Gorman – they also gave an outline of the Ardderroo onshore wind project which they said was well underway.

The Ardderroo project – a major windfarm in Connemara – involves the importation of blades, equipment and turbines through Galway Port with 12 ships involved in the process.

(Photo: wind turbine blades being shipped into Galway)
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