Skip to main content
€25m investment for Ros an Mhíl

€25m investment for Ros an Mhíl

Date: 02 Feb 2022

Strategic hub to support the floating offshore wind sector

A €25m investment in a Deep Water Berth at Ros an Mhíl in Co. Galway has been announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., and the Government.

A report commissioned by Údarás na Gaeltachta last year recognised the suitability of Ros an Mhíl in the Galway Gaeltacht as a prime location for the development of a strategic hub to support the floating offshore wind sector and with the potential of creating up to 900 jobs in the industry.

The Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ aims to take advantage of the “at least 30 GW of offshore floating wind power” off the Atlantic coast by 2050. Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) outlines the possibility of 27 GW of floating wind in Irish waters (7GW on the West Coast region closest to Ros a Mhíl).

The report, compiled by Dublin Offshore Consultants, identified that Ros an Mhíl Harbour’s proximity to offshore projects and a deep sea berth would provide an opportunity to get into the offshore wind industry market, a market which is cost effective and also timely in that it also addresses climate change. 
Ros an Mhíl also benefits from a substantial land bank which is owned by both Údarás na Gaeltachta and the DAFM.

On the announcement of the €25m investment, Minister of Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD said

This aligns to the development of An Ghaeltacht Ghlas (the Green Gaeltacht), a key component of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025, and the efforts of An tÚdarás in reducing its own carbon footprint and those of clients and the wider Gaeltacht community.”

Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Chief Executive Officer added: “This deep sea berth will greatly enhance the Galway Gaeltacht’s business infrastructure, providing employment opportunities as well as developing opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

There is a huge wind energy resource off the west coast which will assist with the country’s climate change efforts – as indicated in the report published by ourselves last year. This vast project will provide endless opportunities for this historic harbour and the surrounding area whilst boosting the local economy and businesses and we hope to support this in the future as opportunities in relation to developing the organisation’s land close to the site are developed.”