North Channel Wind project director Niamh Kenny will tell Invest NI’s Focus ON Offshore Wind Convention that the potential for NI to become one of the lowest cost regions for offshore wind in Europe is very close.
The event in Titanic Conference Centre on Tuesday March 22 will highlight NI’s geographical, infrastructural and supply chain advantages for offshore wind energy development. Local companies have already gained much experience exporting goods and services to the offshore energy sector in the UK, Ireland and further afield.
Niamh Kenny says: “We see rapidly changing circumstances across the global energy markets, increased pressure on supply and distribution and little if any reduction in demand,” says Niamh. “Now is the time for offshore wind energy to develop so that Northern Ireland and the Irish single energy market can gain advantage, move closer towards self-sustainability and to even become a net exporter of electricity.”
“I’m looking forward to addressing the conference and very grateful to Invest NI for the opportunity and for highlighting the urgent need to move these proposals forward quickly.”
North Channel Wind’s new floating technologies are particularly well suited to the Irish Sea for their significantly reduced environmental impact during installation and operation when compared to conventional turbines whose foundations are on the seabed.
Ms Kenny says: “Discussions with the Northern Ireland government, the grid operator SONI, the energy regulator UREGNI, Renewables NI and the Crown Estate are progressing well. Significantly, we have completed our site characterisation and have commenced a scoping exercise in consultation with DAERA, which is the first step in applying for a marine licence to build offshore infrastructure.”
Representatives from North Channel Wind will be meeting with key stakeholders including the fishing community, local interest groups and marine users over the coming months to gage reactions, optimise the project and to build partnerships which will benefit the wider Northern Ireland community for many years to come.
The project would create significant local supply chain opportunities including the assembly of the required steel floating devices, logistics, assembly, marine services and construction.
Media Contacts:
Joris Minne,
JComms Ltd,
email: joris.minne@northchannelwind.com
tel: + 44 (0)7876 218978
Claire McKee,
JComms Ltd,
email: claire.mckee@northchannelwind.com
tel: 07736 881727