Irish and UK Energy Ministers will share a podium for the first time in Ireland at the 4th Annual Conference of the National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland this November.
The appearance by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte TD and British Minister of State at the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry MP follows his statements at the British Irish Council in June that optimising the natural renewable resource available around our islands would benefit all.
The NOW Ireland Conference entitled Ireland – A Green Energy Exporter will take place in Dublin on November 15.
Speaking at the launch of the Conference, NOW Ireland General Secretary Brian Britton stated: "We are delighted to have the Ministers from both sides of the Irish Sea addressing our annual conference.
"While offshore wind will be critical for reaching our domestic 2020 targets, it is in exporting our wind energy that the real economic opportunity lies for Ireland. Ireland has some of the best offshore wind resources in the world.
"The theme of our Conference, Ireland – A Green Energy Exporter, was chosen in recognition of the potential that this industry has to drive export growth and job creation.”
Industry estimates indicate that as much as 10,000 MW of Irish renewable energy could be available for export into the UK or European grid as harmonization of energy markets progresses.
NOW Ireland was formed by the offshore wind companies actively developing projects in the Irish Sea. Currently there are five projects in active planning in Irish waters.