How offshore wind could ‘bring the buzz back’ to a west Limerick village
A Limerick village is preparing for one of the most significant transformations in its modern history, as major offshore wind ambitions gather momentum around the Shannon estuary.
In Foynes, local business owners, tourism leaders and port officials say the project could restore economic vibrancy, create employment and place the town at the centre of Ireland’s green-energy future.
Pat Keating, chief executive of Shannon Foynes Port, said the region is uniquely positioned to support offshore renewable energy on a massive scale.
“Ireland’s economic exclusive zone has something like 650 gigawatts of energy blowing in the wind over our heads every year,” he said, noting that ports are essential in turning that resource into real power.
To fulfil that role, Shannon Foynes Port has laid out a major development plan, including a new €600m jetty at Foynes Island.
Mr Keating explained that this infrastructure would support offshore wind projects and freight.
He added that the estuary’s combination of deep water, zoned industrial land and strong grid connections creates an unmatched opportunity, with a possible 50,000 jobs possible centred on the port.
“You’ve over 1,200 hectares [2,965 acres] of zoned land near a deep water port near the best electrical grid in the country,” he said. “We’ve really strong offering here to build something big.”
The developments could also prove transformative for the tourism sector. Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum founder Margaret O’Shaughnessy said improved connectivity is already changing expectations for the region.
Local businesses hope offshore wind can revive day-to-day activity
“The new road will let you come here and, in 15 minutes, be in Adare,” she said. “So I think that's going to change tourism in Co Limerick enormously,” she states.
Local businesses hope offshore wind can revive day-to-day activity in the town.
Kieran Kavanagh, owner of the Yankee Clipper bar, said Foynes has quietened over the past two decades, but the new energy sector could reverse that decline.
“With offshore wind, [we’ll] get the buzz back into the town and the pubs,” he said. “Local businesses will thrive.”
Offshore projects are widely seen as unobtrusive, but local communities remain concerned about proposed onshore wind developments. They say that onshore wind policy must be updated to protect public health – something that could delay Ireland’s plans of producing 37 gigawatts of offshore energy nationally by 2050.
Coolcappa residents are concerned about a proposed onshore windfarm. Photo: Getty
Brenda Dowling, an activist with the Coolcappa Community Action Group, said development has outpaced regulation: “Wind turbine technology has been rapidly changing over the years. Developers are now planning for onshore turbines that are 235m in height.”
For her community, the issue is not minor: “It is not a noise annoyance issue. It is a matter of public health.”
Ms Dowling highlighted recent developments in national guidance: “The HSE has instructed every windfarm developer submitting new plans to follow the World Health Organisation guidance for wind turbine noise. This is to protect the health of rural communities.”
In Coolcappa, she said, families could be directly affected by a proposed onshore windfarm.
“Fifteen young children live within 800 metres of the proposed turbine locations, including 11 pupils who attend Coolcappa National School, situated just 750 metres from the nearest planned turbine.”