Ambition needed for Cork to become a renewable energy hub, says Cork Chamber President
President of Cork Chamber, Rob Horgan, has called on the new Government to take ambitious action to progress Cork’s development as a renewable energy hub. Speaking at the ‘Nordic Talks - Powering the Future’ event, hosted by Cork Chamber in cooperation with Ireland’s Nordic embassies, Mr Horgan said that supporting the energy revolution in the years ahead will be transformative for the Irish economy and the country’s climate future.
‘Nordic Talks – Powering the Future’ was held in Cork today, with panellists discussing critical issues around Ireland’s energy future, from grid capacity to battery energy storage systems (BESS). Panellists were drawn from the renewable energy industry across Ireland and the Nordic countries, with Catherine Sheridan, DNV and Chair of the Cork Offshore Renewable Industry Forum (CORIF), and Laura Mehigan, Ørsted, expertly moderating this morning’s discussions.
Speaking at the event, Rob Horgan emphasised the economic opportunity for Cork in the renewable energy sector: “Cork is already home to much of the existing infrastructure required to power the energy transition, with key industry players based here and world-class research institutions present in the region. It is critical now that all stakeholders, from Government to industry, act to ensure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Cork is not missed. To harness this opportunity, we need the right enabling infrastructure for Cork to power Ireland’s future prosperity, including port infrastructure, grid capacity, energy storage solutions, a skills hub and centre of excellence.”
“Cork Chamber is delighted to collaborate with Ireland’s Nordic embassies on this event, bringing together renewable energy experts from across Europe to share knowledge, advance ideas and chart a course for our green energy future. As we grapple with a changing geopolitical landscape, many firms are prioritising energy security and independence more than ever before. Growing our economy now means engaging with the green energy sector on an ongoing basis, supporting the transition to a more secure and sustainable future for all.”
H.E Lars Thuesen, Ambassador of Denmark to Ireland, said, “The energy transition is now more important than ever, in the Nordic countries, in Ireland and indeed across Europe. Collaborating with Cork Chamber on this important event provides a platform for experts to come together, share learnings and explore solutions to some of the critical questions facing Europe at this important time for the transition to a green energy future, and a more sustainable, secure economic future.”
