A new report launched at Wind Energy Ireland's Annual Conference in Dublin suggests that achieving Ireland's 2050 offshore wind energy targets could potentially contribute at least €38 billion to the Irish economy. The report, titled “Building our Potential: Ireland's Offshore Wind Skills and Talent Needs,” produced for Green Tech Skillnet and Wind Energy Ireland by BVG Associates, emphasizes the necessity for substantial investment in training and skills development to maximize economic benefits from offshore wind farm development.
While a growing number of Irish companies are already involved in offshore wind energy, both domestically and internationally, the industry requires a significant increase in the workforce to meet the ambitious targets set by the Irish Government. The report identifies related industries such as marine and engineering, indicating that workers in these sectors possess transferable skills to contribute to offshore wind energy development.
The findings suggest that targeted investment in upskilling and retraining could unlock substantial employment opportunities. The report underscores the importance of collaboration between the government and the industry to ensure that the substantial investment in building a new generation of offshore wind farms translates into economic gains within Ireland.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, commented on the report's launch, stating, “Developing green skills and green jobs has become a top priority of mine and my Department.” He highlighted the multifaceted benefits of offshore wind development, including reduced carbon emissions, enhanced energy security, and lower costs for consumers. The minister expressed the significance of the report's insights in shaping collaborative efforts across various sectors to build the necessary skills for a greener and more sustainable future.
