Limerick Chamber CEO calls for action on Atlantic floating energy opportunities

LIMERICK Chamber has called for immediate action around the development and delivery of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) for the west coast of Ireland, in order to unlock the floating offshore renewable energy potential available in the Atlantic.

Speaking on behalf of businesses across the Mid-West and West of Ireland, Limerick Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher urged the government to prioritise floating offshore wind as a cornerstone of Ireland’s clean and energy secure future.

“We are at a critical juncture,” said Ms Gallagher.

“If we are serious about achieving our climate targets, decarbonising our economy, and building energy security, then the west coast must not be left behind.

“Floating offshore wind represents Ireland’s single biggest renewable opportunity, but that opportunity is slipping away without concrete DMAPs and a timeline industry can rely on.”

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The west coast of Ireland has been identified as one of Europe’s most resource-rich areas for floating offshore wind, with upwards of 70 GW of generation potential available in Atlantic waters.

Unlike fixed-bottom offshore wind, which is limited to shallower waters and predominantly suited to the east coast, floating offshore wind unlocks deeper, high-wind areas further offshore, a perfect match for the west’s natural maritime conditions.

“The added value of floating wind is that it is much further out from the shoreline, minimising planning risk seen with fixed bottom developments,” added Ms Gallagher.

Limerick Chamber emphasised that timely delivery of the west coast DMAPs is not only a planning necessity but a confidence-building milestone for industry stakeholders.

“Investors and developers need certainty,” Ms Gallagher said.

“Delays send the wrong signal and risk displacing capital to other jurisdictions. Delivering DMAPs for the Atlantic coast is the clearest signal we can send that Ireland is serious about its offshore ambitions.”

Ms Gallagher, who was appointed CEO of Limerick Chamber in September 2024, further added that the slow pace of delivery in Ireland is ensuring that we are losing out on investment to other EU countries.

“France has already issued winning tenders for its 250 MW Pennavel project off the coast of Brittany,” she said.

“Portugal has 25 MW installed floating capacity, enough to supply 25,000 households per year, since 2020 with its WindFloat Atlantic Project.

“The EFTA Surveillance Authority has approved Norway providing state aid to its floating offshore wind farm at Utsira Nord delivering 1.5 GW of floating offshore wind capacity. Norway already has 88 MW of floating offshore energy capacity at its Hywind Tampen wind farm.

“France, Norway and Portugal have already pilot and demo-scale projects operating, meanwhile Ireland has none.”

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Spain has launched a 200-million-euro fiscal war chest to bring forward testing platforms, build new infrastructure as well as adapting port infrastructure, it is reported, while the UK currently have one of the largest floating offshore wind initiatives in the world with their Celtic Sea leasing round 5, aiming for up to 4.5GW of floating renewable energy.

Limerick Chamber stressed that EU neighbours are also investing in ports with France investing in the likes of Port-la-Nouvelle and Spain investing in Ferrol.

In addition to the environmental benefits, Ms Gallagher highlighted the broader economic and energy diversification advantages of floating offshore development.

“Floating offshore wind represents a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our regional economy, strengthen our energy independence, and develop a world-class marine supply chain right here in Ireland,” she said.

“But ambition without action does not build confidence. We need timelines. We need delivery.

“Ireland has what it takes, the wind, the coastline, the innovation, the talent. Now we need the will and the action to match. The time to lead is now.”