Enterprise Ireland has formally launched its Gael Offshore Network, a cluster of 65 member companies brought together to share expertise in offshore wind, at its second Offshore Wind Forum at Croke Park.
The member companies specialise in areas such as civil and marine engineering, geotechnical/geophysical capability, materials handling, environmental surveys and data collection as well as digital technology for offshore and associated cybersecurity.
Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, formed the group in recognition of the economic opportunities available to Irish companies in the offshore wind sector, as well as the climate imperatives to move to renewable energy.
"I am delighted to launch the Gael Offshore Network at Enterprise Ireland’s Offshore Wind Forum," Clancy said. "There are significant growth opportunities for Irish companies in the offshore wind space.
"Irish companies have the innovative products and services to access the major opportunity that is evident in the UK but also at home in Ireland and further afield.
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"The knowledge sharing and networking with global industry representatives at events such as this will help Irish companies to tap into current and future opportunities.”
More than 200 people from the Irish and UK offshore wind sectors will attend the two-day forum, which gives firms the chance to meet with international developers, including Orsted, SSE Renewables, ESB and RWE, and contractors operating globally.
Irish SMEs will also showcase their capabilities and industry experience through a series of "elevator pitches" at the forum, with member companies having already secured several high-value contracts in the UK and other markets globally.
The opening day of the event will examine the opportunity that exists in the UK with speakers looking closely at the UK's ambition to achieve 50GW of offshore wind power by 2030 as well as investment, project pipelines and supply chain requirements in Britain.
The second day will focus on the Irish market and feature a keynote from Wind Energy Ireland, with attendees to receive updates on Ireland's project timelines, locations and procurement routes. The government’s Climate Action Plan outlines ambitions to produce 5GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.
Enterprise Ireland and the Gael Offshore Network will host an Irish pavilion with some of its leading member companies at Global Offshore Wind 2022 in Manchester later this month.
(Pic: Getty Images)
