Mayo offshore wind energy 'dream' in jeopardy despite political promises
by Caoimhín Rowland
Mayo is being painted as a future hub for offshore wind energy as political parties pledge new jobs creation, investment and a clean energy revolution in the county.
Yet beneath these bold commitments lie significant challenges that could derail these ambitions unless urgent action is taken.
The waters off the west coast of Mayo are ideal for floating offshore wind (FLOW) technology.
The potential is enormous — experts suggest Ireland could harness up to 579GW of offshore wind energy, a resource that could power homes, create industries, and help the country meet its Climate Action Plan targets of 5GW of offshore renewable energy (ORE) by 2030.
Sites like the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) off the Mullet Peninsula are being hailed as perfect locations to test and develop this technology.
Politicians are eager to talk up Mayo’s potential in this energy revolution.
However, according to a recent report by consultants based in Castlebar, Natural Power, making this a reality is far more complicated.
One of the most immediate hurdles is Mayo’s grid infrastructure.
The county’s electricity network is not currently capable of handling large-scale offshore wind projects.
Upgrades are essential, but as the report points out, grid development has faced delays and setbacks, casting doubt on the feasibility of these political promises.
Many of the same politicians who support offshore wind technology have previously campaigned against pylons coming through the county, which would be a necessity to facilitate offshore wind off the west coast.
In addition, the report highlights the inadequacies of port facilities on Ireland’s west coast.
Ports like Ros an Mhíl in Galway require extensive investment to accommodate the large vessels and heavy equipment needed for offshore wind farms.
Without this, the logistics of developing wind projects off Mayo remain a daunting challenge as the county lacks any adequate port to develop offshore technologies.
The deep waters off Mayo — reaching depths of 100m or more — make floating offshore wind the only viable technology.
However, the report warns that FLOW technology is still evolving and is unlikely to be cost-competitive for at least another decade.
Add to this the region’s harsh weather conditions and the technical complexity of offshore projects, and the scale of the challenge becomes clear.
Environmental constraints also loom large. The waters off Mayo are home to delicate marine ecosystems and protected areas.
Balancing renewable energy development with the protection of these environments — and addressing concerns from local fishing communities — will be no easy task.
Building offshore wind farms requires enormous financial investment. The report notes the high capital costs and a need for clear, concise governmental planning which is required to make offshore wind in the county happen as regulatory hurdles remain a concern for companies keen to invest in the area.
For offshore wind to become a reality in Mayo, coordinated efforts are needed from government, industry, and local communities.
Investment in grid infrastructure appears to be the primary requirement.
With recent blackouts due to storms, our current grid, with increasing electrification into the future, will need to be doubled. With offshore wind, the infrastructure may need to be increased further than the natural growth of consumption requires.
Similarly, port facilities and continuing research is essential before we see windmills off the west coast of Mayo.
Without this, the promises made by political parties could fall flat, leaving Mayo’s wind potential untapped.