Government urged to progress plans to establish green energy hub on the Shannon Estuary

The government is being urged to set sail on plans which will set the development of Foynes Port as a green energy hub on course for success.

The development of the Shannon Estuary along the west coast did not get a mention in Budget 2025 which was announced on October 1.

By contrast, a €99m financing deal was agreed to fund a major expansion of the Port of Cork’s facilities to help drive growth in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Well placed sources in Limerick have indicated this was to be expected - but it has led to calls for pressure on government to start the process of funding the massive developments planned for the Shannon Estuary and in West Limerick/North Kerry area.

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The area has the potential to deliver 70 gigawatts of energy each year, with projections showing wind energy could service almost four million homes by 2030 - and beyond that, supply parts of Europe.

But in order to get the show on the road, land within the sea needs to be formally designated for development by the government.

This zoning is known as a Designated Maritime Area Plan, or a DMAP.

The seabed off the south coast has already been zoned, and this allowed last week’s announcement for Cork.

Limerick Chamber economist Sean Golden said the designation for Foynes must be “front and centre” of the upcoming general election campaign.

“Are we disappointed we are not taking advantage of the Shannon Estuary? Absolutely. We don’t have a DMAP for the west coast. When you look at the unique selling point of Foynes - a deep water port now connected to rail. Seventy-five to 80% of Ireland’s gross domestic product is going to be within a two-hour journey of Foynes. It has the largest yield capacity. Fair play to Cork, but I think it’s really a missed opportunity for the Mid-West that it hasn’t happened yet, and I think we just need to keep going.”

Mr Golden made the comments at a post-budget breakfast event held in the Castletroy Park Hotel.

He referred to gross domestic product which represents the total monetary value of all goods and services produced and sold within a country during a period of time, typically one year.

Mayor of Limerick John Moran has called for a “clear signalling” from government that the sea bed will be designated for activity. “We really need this for Foynes coming next year or the year after,” he said.

He said the funding for Limerick “should be way bigger” than Cork’s €99m.

“Remember, the offshore wind potential off the shore of Foynes is not to have enough energy to power Ireland. It’s actually to have enough energy for 10 Irelands. That’s a scale way beyond what we have in the south seas,” Mayor Moran said.

What is being proposed in Cork is for fixed energy structures - while in Foynes, it is for floating energy structures.

These are seen as more beneficial as they are out of view of people and can reduce objections.