Shannon Chamber President Accuses Politicians Of "Putting Up Obstacles" To Renewable Energy

Clare FM

The President of Shannon Chamber has accused politicial representatives of "putting up obstacles" to renewable energy progress. With confirmation being given in the Dáil that sites for offshore wind development off Clare's coast will be zoned next year, key stakeholders are expressing frustration with the pace at which progress is being made. Launched last June, the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce report identifies harvesting 30 gigawatts on Atlantic wind energy by 2050 as one of its primary goals. This, it's stated, would satisfy Ireland's current electricity demand five times over, while the process would create an estimated 10,000 green jobs in this region by 2035. Responding to Inagh Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey in the Dáil, Green Party Minister of State for the Environment Ossian Smyth has confirmed that a map to zone areas off Clare's coast for offshore wind projects, known as a Designated Maritime Area Plan, or DMAP, will begin next year. The ESB has been granted planning permission to convert Moneypoint Power Station from a coal-fired to a heavy fuel oil facility prior to its transition to a renewable energy hub. Chairperson of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce Barry O'Sullivan says what this region needs is strong political representation from those who are committed to getting renewable energy projects over the line. The confirmation that the DMAP for the West Coast will commence in 2025 has come in the same week than An Bórd Pleanála has stated it no longer stands over its previous decision to uphold the grant of planning permission for a data centre in Ennis. Plans for the data centre have been shrouded in controversy since they were first lodged with Clare County Council in 2021, with 60 submissions made in objection. Shannon Chamber President Eoin Gavin insists politicians should be finding solutions instead of simply expressing their opposition to proposed developments.