Renewable Energy Development on Shannon Estuary Threatened by Housing Shortage
A major plan for renewable energy development on the Shannon Estuary could face significant obstacles due to a chronic shortage of housing. The Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce report has proposed the creation of up to 50,000 jobs over the next three decades to support the ambitious plan. However, the region currently lacks sufficient housing to accommodate this influx of workers.
Barry O’Sullivan, chairman of the taskforce, emphasized the importance of housing as part of the broader infrastructure required for the Shannon Estuary region. He stated, “Housing is clearly part of the wider infrastructural need for the Shannon Estuary region and beyond if the offshore renewable energy opportunity across the Atlantic Seaboard is to be realized.”
To enable the growth of the renewable energy industry in the region, the report calls for increased funding to update housing, water, and wastewater infrastructure. O’Sullivan further explained that each local authority should update their development plans to align with housing targets and attract people to live and work in the region.
While the taskforce anticipates that the housing shortage will be somewhat resolved by the time all the jobs are created, concerns have been raised about the lack of infrastructure available for green energy development in parts of Ireland. During an Oireachtas committee meeting, Catherine Joyce-O’Caollai, co-chair of the Policy Working Group with Hydrogen Ireland, highlighted the potential for offshore wind projects in Cork and the Shannon Estuary to produce hydrogen at scale. However, Neil Walker, head of infrastructure, energy, and environment at Ibec, expressed concerns about capacity restraints due to Ireland’s flawed planning system, which urgently needs reform.
A key recommendation in the taskforce report is the establishment of a National Floating Offshore Wind Development Agency to ensure the successful completion of these developments. The report outlines that the development of 2 gigawatts (GW) of green energy capacity by 2035 will create approximately 10,000 jobs, while the goal of installing up to 30GW by 2050 will contribute to the creation of a total of 50,000 jobs. The report estimates that the entire viable wind resource off the Atlantic seaboard has an investment value of up to €120 billion.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Simon Coveney emphasized the transformative potential of the project, stating, “We’re talking about actually reshaping the Irish economy from east to west, counterbalancing the dominance of the East Coast. And this in many ways is an international project.” The taskforce was appointed by the government to assess the strategic strengths and economic opportunities of the Shannon Estuary.
Contracts have already been agreed upon to boost the renewable energy sector in the area, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ESB and Shannon Foynes Port, the company with statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on the estuary. This agreement will support the transformation of the Shannon Estuary and surrounding areas into a major hub for floating offshore wind projects in Irish and international waters.
The taskforce report was launched at the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric generating station, which played a pivotal role in the establishment of the first national grid approximately 100 years ago.