Port of Waterford lodges landmark expansion plans including offshore energy terminal

Waterford has taken a major step towards becoming a hub for Ireland's renewable future after the Port of Waterford confirmed it has lodged a landmark planning application for a new Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) terminal at Belview.

The multi-million euro development would see a 250-metre extension to the existing wharves, new workshops and warehouses, berthing pontoons, two office buildings, and a host of sustainability features including solar PV arrays and a biodiversity enhancement zone.

The project is being billed as a game-changer for Waterford and the South East, creating the capacity to support large-scale offshore wind farms such as the proposed Tonn Nua development, as well as future projects in the Celtic Sea.

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Ireland has set a target of generating 7GW of offshore wind by 2030, and Waterford wants to be at the heart of delivering it.

The Port of Waterford say the terminal would not only help Ireland hit its green energy goals, but also transform the regional economy with new jobs in maritime operations, engineering, logistics, and renewable technology.

Local SMEs and suppliers are also expected to benefit by plugging into the offshore wind supply chain.

David Sinnott, CEO of the Port of Waterford, described the planning application as a "landmark day" for the region.

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He said the project is about much more than infrastructure, it's about creating jobs, driving economic growth in the South East, and helping Ireland transition to a low-carbon future.

"This is a landmark day for Port of Waterford. Our application is about more than new infrastructure — it's about creating jobs, driving growth in the South East, and helping Ireland meet its 2030 climate goals.

"Waterford has been a maritime gateway for over a thousand years, and now we are ready to lead Ireland into its offshore renewable future," he said.

The application comes after the port secured a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) earlier this year, a key legal step that allowed it to move forward with its ambitious vision.

If approved, it would mark one of the most significant investments in the port's history and put Waterford at the centre of Ireland's renewable revolution.

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