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A Wind Of Change To Blow Through The Midlands Economy

March 8, 2013

Since 2011, a range of stakeholders in enterprise and economic development have been working together through the “creating the new midlands economy” initiative to identify growth opportunities and build connections in the local business community. At a number of innovative and engaging workshops, a number of opportunities were identified for the region in the future. One of these opportunities was the potential for the region to be a leader in clean and green energy. The region has a rich heritage in energy production as both ESB and Bord na Mona have strong roots in the region and that heritage is now set to evolve into the clean and green future that the above workshops identified. The announcement of investments in wind energy projects by Bord na Mona, Mainstream Renewable Power and Element Power Ireland has generated much media coverage in the past few months. A unique workshop to discuss the opportunities these announcements present for sub-suppliers e.g. during the construction phase, the installation phase and ongoing/continuing maintenance phase and others took place on Friday March 8th from 9am to 1pm in the Tullamore Court Hotel. To be prepared one needs to be informed. Don’t let this opportunity pass. If you are an education provider, (secondary level, third level or state agency), an SME in any of the following areas – Electrical, electronics, engineering, precast concrete, specialised adhesives/grouts, utility piping/ducting, fencing, concrete, aggregates; lubricants. This information is for you. Speakers at the event included:
  • Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte
  • Representatives of Bord na Mona; CEO Gabriel D'Arcy and
  • John Reilly speaking on the Mount Lucas Procurement Case Study,
  • Mainstream Renewable Power; Executive Director and CEO Offshore Andy Kinsella,
  • Element Power Ireland, CEO Tim Cowhig,
  • Siemens Ireland; Kevin Moloney and
  • Kenneth Matthews, CEO IWEA-Irish Wind Energy.
Bord na Móna is investing €110m in the Mount Lucas wind farm, which will involve the construction of 28 wind turbines. When it's up and running the wind farm will have the capacity to provide electricity for up to 45,000 homes. Element  Power Ireland is planning to build up to 40 wind farms in the midlands and export all the power generated to the UK, which is facing an energy crisis over the coming years. Mainstream Renewable Power is planning to deliver 5,000MW wind energy; 1,200MW in the midlands and the remainder in the Irish Sea,  to plug the energy gap in the UK. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Ireland Inc and the Midlands to develop a new export industry for which the timing is now perfect. The Irish and British Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate trading of renewable energy and Greenwire is in pole position to deliver 3,000 megawatts of energy to the UK. Our project will come at no cost to the Irish taxpayer, create badly-needed employment and contribute millions in rental and rate payments to landowners and local authorities respectively. That’s not to mention the spin-off economic benefits for the Midlands which this workshop will explore. I would urge all stakeholders to co-operate fully with each other at every opportunity to ensure we deliver this exciting new industry for Ireland”, said Tim Cowhig, CEO of Element Power Ireland. Ireland has a large, untapped wind resource which could be developed for export without impacting on the country's targets to have 20pc of all power produced from renewable sources by 2020.Last year the Government launched its "Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020" which identifies the export of renewable energy as one of five strategic goals for the State. The wind energy projects are a great demonstration of the potential the Midlands holds for the future generation of power that can be exported to the UK energy market.

Click on the link to download the relevant Presentation Mainstream Renewable Power: Mainstream RP Bord na Mona: Bord na Mona G'D'Arcy  and Mountlucas construction Element Power Siemens

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Details

Date:
March 8, 2013
Event Categories:
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Venue

Unnamed Venue
O'Moore Street
Tullamore, Ireland