Open goal for offshore investment off Clare despite chill factor for external investors

CLARE is standing in front of an open goal but is kicking the ball towards the corner flag when it comes to securing investment for offshore energy, writes Páraic McMahon

Visual amenity must be protected off the Clare coast argued Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) as he called on Clare County Council to prepare “a robust submission” to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government moving the development area as outlined in the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) further offshore. OREDP II is Ireland’s new national strategy for the development of offshore renewable energy.

There has been “a significant level of assessment” undertaken to inform the identification of the broad areas of interest, Director of Economic Development with the Council, Liam Conneally stat- ed. The Mid-West broad area has been identified off the West Clare coastline. Council chiefs are to discuss the draft strategy with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication this month, the Director confirmed. Following this, a cross-directorate submission will be prepared. Presently the near coast area is defined as being within nine miles of Clare County Council’s legislation, anything beyond that is a planning matter for An Bord Pleanála.

Speaking at Monday’s Council meeting, Cllr Murphy commented, “The area of interest identified for offshore wind projects starts approximately 3km off the west coast of Clare, probably our most valuable tourism asset. The associated turbines are approximately the height of the Eiffel tower, and if developed this close to the shore will be extremely overbearing. The likelihood of challenges from local communities is very high with consequential delays in delivery and knock on impact on delivering against our 2030 target”. He added, “The chill factor for external investors to get involved with these projects is already evident, both Simply Blue and ESB have lost significant investors in the past due to the pace of progress by the Government, and will be further exacerbated by the limitations of this area of interest, and likely risk the entire floating offshore wind development off this county”.

Murphy remarked, “We are standing in front of an open goal and deliberately kicking the ball at the corner flag. This council must make the strongest case possible to ensure that is avoided”.