West Clare Offshore Service Industry

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project seeks to explore the development of Kilrush and the wider West Clare area as a service hub for the offshore wind energy industry.

This would include a feasibility study on the needs and demands that my be presented by the offshore wind energy developers. The projects would also seek to identify existing infrastructure and its suitability to service developers, identify new infrastructure needs and synergies with other sectors (tourism, local amenities, nature conservation), and identify current local skill-sets and training needs.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION & OBJECTIVES

Ireland will see the start up of large scale offshore wind energy developments over the coming decade. The Shannon Estuary and the West Clare coast is one of the likely locations for offshore wind farm developments.

This brings challenges as well as opportunities for the area. This project will identify both in cooperation with the communities and so lay the groundwork for successfully planning the integration of a new industry into the area.

This project contributes to: 

• community

• infrastructure

• environment

(POTENTIAL) PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

• Kilrush Town Team

• Kilrush Chamber of Commerce

• Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

• Kilrush Community School

• Loop Head Energy Action Partnership (LEAP)

• Loop Head Tourism

• Other local community groups

• Clare Co Co