THE proposed development of training facilities at Cahercon proved not to be economically viable, the Dáil heard recently and the matter was again raised by Councillor PJ Kelly at a meeting of Clare County Council.
He requested a report outlining the employment related projects now being pursued in the Shannon Estuary.
The report subsequently received from Director of Service Liam Conneally said, “There are very real opportunities for both Moneypoint and Cahercon and all of Clare to play a key leading role in the establishment of a hub for offshore wind energy together with the route to market and supply chain associated with the Offshore Renewable Energy industry.
“In this regard Clare County Council have been actively supporting and liaising with the key Offshore Renewable Energy companies seeking to build Offshore Floating Wind farms off the Clare Coast.
“These companies will utilise the Shannon Estuary, for manufacturing, assembly, servicing, and associated supply chain requirements of the large-scale turbines and critically to provide onshore access to the national grid.
In this regard the SIFP (Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Estuary) has informed the zoning of 1200ha. for employment purposes. A recent report by the Shannon Foynes Port states that a mid growth scenario for offshore energy could yield up to €12Bn by 2050, an investment which will lead to huge jobs growth.”
It said that a wind energy group had recently visited Cahercon.
“Clare County Council recently met with a delegation from Simply Blue Group with respect to their Western Star Offshore Floating Wind project. They highlighted the supply chain and route to market (RtM) challenges and opportunities presented by the Shannon Estuary and by extension their Western Star Project.
“They visited Cahercon pier and were given an overview of the SIFP, Clare County Development Plan and the associated Wind and Renewable Energy Strategies in the context of the potential which the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary has to offer this emerging market.
“Simply Blue Group in conjunction with Shell intend to develop floating offshore wind off the Clare coast and will be engaging with the planning process in due course.”
The report also said the Council is working with the ESB regarding its Green Atlantic proposal at Moneypoint.
The report did state that there are opportunities for maritime training, but the focus is now on Kilrush rather than at Cahercon.
“As has been the case in Norway and Scotland education and training providers ramped up to meet offshore wind skill needs in advance of the developments in Offshore Floating Wind.
“Similarly, Ireland needs to be prepared for this education and training opportunity which will also bring a significant economic benefit to all of the communities not only along the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary but to the entire of West Clare and beyond.
“Clare County Council in anticipating this training and skills shortfall have been proactively engaged with the Mid West Renewable Energy Group led by the Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan and in addition the Mid-West Renewable Energy Research and Education Cluster to identify the future skills needs and the training requirements associated with the Renewable Energy Sector.
“The need for such a training facility in close proximity to where this potential lies off the western seaboard and to where various Offshore Floating Wind companies are looking to establish will ultimately be a key economic driver and unique employment opportunity.
“It is desirable that such a Maritime Training facility would be located in Clare. In this regard, you will be aware of the proposal to establish such a training facility in Kilrush, in the heart of the rural community in County Clare.
“The Kilrush Maritime Training Centre seeks to provide specialist infrastructure and training within the Maritime sector specifically in relation to mandatory safety training required for working at sea.”
It claimed that the facility could attract 1,200 trainees per annum, creating 28 full time jobs.
At the meeting Councillor Kelly said that there was some upset in Kildysart that the project appears to have gone from Cahercon, while he said he wanted some clarity on what had happened.
Speaking afterwards Councillor Kelly said, “I’m disappointed that the project is not going ahead at Cahercon. I’m also disappointed that the wave power proposal at Cahercon could interfere with the commercial use of the pier.”
He said he felt Cahercon would have been the ideal location for a maritime training facility.
By Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.