Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
87. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the supports he has made available to date and plans to make available in the future to the Port of Cork company to enable it to expand and develop its facilities in order that it can become a centre for project marshalling and assembly, as outlined in the recently published policy statement Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21969/24]
View answerOffshore Renewable Energy (ORE) is integral to achieving Ireland’s Climate Change ambitions, with a target of achieving 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a further 2GW to be in development by 2030. Beyond that, the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan 2021 also sets out a target of 37GW of ORE projects to be delivered before 2050.
Government policy on commercial state ports, including the Port of Cork Company, is that they operate on a commercial self-funding basis. Notwithstanding this, the ORE Ports Facilitation Division in my Department is committed supporting the development of port infrastructure, to maximise the use of Irish ports for offshore wind delivery. Separately, the current review of the National Ports Policy will consider ways to support the development of this essential port infrastructure in line with the Government’s climate and energy goals.
The Future Framework recognises the important role of Commercial state ports in servicing offshore wind. It sets out that ORE developments will typically require access to large-scale port infrastructure for project marshalling and assembly (M&A), and smaller-scale port facilities to provide ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) services after ORE structures are installed.
The Department of Transport engages regularly with the Port of Cork, in meetings and by correspondence with respect to the Port’s proposed development at Ringaskiddy both directly and also as part of the department’s regular corporate governance engagement. The department’s Offshore Renewable Energy Ports Facilitation Division, which was established a year ago, has visited the Port of Cork offices on a number of occasions, including twice in recent months.
In addition, officials in the Department of Transport continue to engage with all industry stakeholders with a view to maximising all financing opportunities available to Irish Commercial State ports. This includes potential financing partners such as the European Union (EU) through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
I can confirm that the Port of Cork has applied for funding under the 2023 call for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund for their proposed development at Ringaskiddy. If successful, the Port of Cork can obtain up to 30% of its costs for infrastructure works. Officials in the Department of Transport assisted the Port with their submission. The results of the call will be announced in June of 2024.
Furthermore, my Department has signed an Advisory Assignment with the European Investment Bank to undertake an analysis of demand, capacity, and financing options relating to Irish ports’ ORE plans. The output of this work will be crucial in identifying how Irish ports will contribute to the meeting of our 2030 offshore wind targets.
The Department of Transport will continue engagement with the Port of Cork with a view to supporting the development of its proposed development at Ringaskiddy, where appropriate.
