Ireland’s wind energy infrastructure is generating investment interest in terms of exporting power to supply the German industrial sector. Green hydrogen, which is produced from wind energy, is seen by that country as a key route to decarbonising.
A German-Irish Hydrogen Council was formed by the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce to look at its potential use in the sector. Wind farms off the Irish west coast are likely to be the targets for investment.
Stefan Kaufmann, Germany’s green hydrogen commissioner shared that this collaboration could open up a new era of energy cooperation between the two countries.
The council has been invited to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action to discuss the expansion of Ireland’s offshore wind resources.
Wind energy is core to Ireland’s plan to move to up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030, with 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity due to be in place at that stage. Ireland currently has one operating offshore wind farm on the Arklow Bank off Wicklow.
The Government has said that Ireland’s long-term plan is to develop at least 30GW of floating wind, with at least two further auctions planned after the one now under way.
LSL News.