Rosslare Europort has said that plans to establish the port and its hinterland as an offshore renewable energy (ORE) hub have the potential to create up to 2,000 jobs.
A total of €350m will be invested in the Co Wexford port and its environs, which became Ireland's busiest port for roll-on/roll-off and passengers services last year in the wake of Brexit, to transform the area into a centre for offshore wind energy.
In addition to the creation of the €200m offshore energy hub, the development will align with existing plans to digitise systems and operations at the port, install new freight and passenger storage, export and import facilities, and extend the port's berth.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) will also develop a permanent Border Control Post within the port, providing facilities and systems for all aspects of border control, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will build the N25 access road to improve connectivity to the port.
The project's backer said that Rosslare Europort was "ideally positioned" to serve the many offshore wind developments planned in the Irish and Celtic seas, many of which are located within 100 nautical miles of Rosslare.
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Key infrastructure requirements to serve the different stage of the offshore wind project will include marshalling, assembly, staging and load out of key components, ongoing operations, maintenance and crew transfers.
A purpose-built quay and berth, quayside storage and pre-construction up to 50 acres in area, a navigable channel dredged down to a minimum of nine metes depth and management control centre and management office and facilities will also be required.
"We have engaged extensively at European, national and regional level to understand the needs of the ORE industry," said Glenn Carr, general manager of Rosslare Europort. "It is clear that not only is Rosslare Europort uniquely placed to support the development of the industry, but that this development can be a transformative one for the south-east region.
"In terms of economic potential, the south-east can be to offshore renewables what Dublin’s Silicon Docks are to the tech sector. The support shown by stakeholders to date, and here today in the terminal building, shows that we can achieve this as a region for the nation.”
Expert ORE consultants have already been appointed to lead the planning of the project, along with financial consultants to develop the business case and funding option, and applications have been submitted to the EU for 50% co-funding for the studies and designs for planning.
The port has begun "actively engaging" with potential developers and undertaken surveys and engagements with them to understand the industry requirements and build support for the projects.
Discussions have also taken place regarding a potential start-up facility that could be available from late 2023 at Fisherman’s Quay in the port on a limited basis to offer the industry some port capacity while the transition to the main facility is completed.
"Rosslare Europort has been to the forefront of our national response to some of the most critical issues we have faced in recent times. Working with state agencies, Rosslare prepared for and responded to Brexit, transforming our direct connections to the continent of Europe," said Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail, which owns the port.
"In recent weeks, we have ensured the rapid and successful establishment of reception facilities for Ukrainian refugees arriving to our shores. Now, as we face the urgent need for decarbonisation and to ensure energy security, the board and management of Iarnród Éireann fully supports the ambitions of Rosslare Europort to be Ireland’s ORE hub.”
The project has the support of national and local government, and the industry and tourism sectors, including the Port of Wexford.
Rosslare saw a 371% increase in freight units on European direct routes last year, with 119,927 units carried, while combined freight at the poor increased 50%, representing the largest annual growth in the port's history, and passenger volumes grew 68%.
Photo: Graphic representation of turbine storage area at Rosslare Europort, which has outlined its vision to be Ireland's hub for the offshore renewable energy industry.(Pic: Rosslare Europort)
