The report, published on Thursday, details how port infrastructure for offshore wind energy was funded within and outside the EU, and highlights the critical role of State support in giving confidence to investors. It builds on last year’s National Ports Study, which showed Belfast was the only port on the island of Ireland fully equipped to serve as a construction base for offshore wind farms.
GDG director Paul Doherty said: “It is common practice across Europe for the State to invest in port infrastructure when there is a clear social and economic case for it to do so.” “This support could be in the form of direct funding from the Exchequer, a low-interest loan scheme or access to funding vehicles such as the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank,” Mr Doherty said.
Doyle Shipping Group plans to make their facility at Cork Dockyard a leader in offshore renewable energy development.