Economic and employment impacts of offshore wind for Ireland: A value chain analysis

ABSTRACT

The imminent development of a number of offshore wind farms in the Republic of Ireland presents a sizable opportunity to stimulate the Irish economy through the growth of an indigenous and globally competitive offshore wind supply chain. This study uses a value chain analysis to evaluate the economic and employment potential of the offshore wind sector for Ireland. The analysis is based on the expenditure on products and services required to develop an offshore wind farm, the planned capacity of projects in the pipeline, and the ability of Irish companies to supply the sector. Results suggest that by 2030, 2.5–4.5GW of domestic offshore wind development could create between 11,424 and 20,563 supply chain jobs and generate between €763 m and €1.4bn in gross value added. This is the first study to estimate domestic GVA potential for the sector.

KEYWORDS:

• Offshore wind
• Ireland
• economic impact
• employment impact
• ocean energy

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant No 12/RC/2302, EirWind’s 10 industry partners, and University College Cork, Ireland.

Declaration of interest statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I receive funding from Eirwind’s 10 industry partners, DP Energy Ireland, Equinor ASA, Enerco Energy, Statkraft Ireland, Brookfield Renewable Ireland, EDP Renewables, SSE Ireland, Simply Blue Energy, ENGIE, and Electricity Supply Board (ESB), companies that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from that involvement.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the SSE Ireland [n/a]; DP Energy Ireland [n/a]; Simply Blue Energy [n/a]; Statkraft Ireland [n/a]; ENGIE [n/a]; Enerco Energy [n/a]; Brookfield Renewable Ireland [n/a]; Equinor ASA [n/a]; Electricity Supply Board (ESB) [n/a]; EDP Renewables [n/a]; Science Foundation Ireland [12/RC/2302].