EDF’s projects cover onshore and offshore wind, solar PV and battery storage technology. In 2020, EDF acquired 50% of the Codling Wind Park offshore wind farm, to be located off the coast of Wicklow. EDF is also in a 50:50 partnership to develop the Emerald and Western Star floating offshore wind farms, to be located off the coasts of Cork and Clare. Together, these three projects could power over two million homes across Ireland.

Paul Gallagher brings 20 years of prior experience in infrastructure development and delivery, notably with FuturEnergy Ireland and Coillte, and working on onshore wind projects in Australia.

In this Q&A interview, Paul Gallagher outlines the actions needed to accelerate the progress of the Irish renewable energy sector. 

What are the main risks that Ireland faces due to slow progress towards climate action goals?

PG: Ireland is on a countdown to 2030 where time is not on our side. As we all know, the world is facing a climate crisis, and every country has a role to play in addressing this. We have already seen worrying reports earlier this year in relation to the breakdown of the critically important Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC), responsible for stabilising our climatic conditions by moving warm and cold water as it cycles via the Gulf Stream. If we don’t make significant progress and achieve our climate action goals there will be serious environmental repercussions for all countries, including Ireland, in the form of extreme weather, flooding, biodiversity loss and a significant impact on food production.

On a financial level, the EU recently warned member states including Ireland that they must take action to accelerate the planning process for renewable energy projects. It has also opened infringement proceedings against Ireland for failing to make the revised renewable energy directive — which enables streamlined planning for wind and solar developments — a part of Irish law.

That warning should really act as a wake-up call to expeditiously implement the directive, if Ireland is to avoid the billions of Euro of climate fines that are coming down the track.

What Government actions would give renewable sector companies greater confidence for their own investment plans?  

PG: The challenges to Ireland achieving its climate action goals have been well publicised, not least the lack of grid infrastructure in those parts of the country where the renewable energy resources are greatest. Lengthy planning and judicial review processes have also contributed to major hold-ups.

While Ireland is continuing to make progress on its climate action goals, the pace of change to deliver key regional grid infrastructure and implement key policy changes to improve project permitting conditions needs to be stepped up. Renewable energy companies need to see the commitment from Government to meet requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive III (‘RED III’) to establish the revised hierarchy for renewable energy projects in domestic policy.

 What are EDF Renewables' current projects and future ambitions for the Irish market?  

 PG: This has been a landmark year for EDF Renewables Ireland, submitting planning applications for some of our first onshore wind farms, auction success in RESS 4, and of course Codling Wind Park, Ireland’s largest phase 1 offshore renewable energy project, also entering the planning system.

Overall EDF Renewables is seeking to have over 10GW of operational assets across Ireland and the UK by 2035. Having energised some of Ireland’s first grid-scale solar farms last year, and with a pipeline of new onshore wind, battery and solar sites of over 1GW, I’m very much looking forward to working with our growing team to help Ireland fulfill its renewable energy potential.

Our growing Irish team has a wealth of experience in bringing complex development projects to fruition, across onshore and offshore wind, solar PV and battery storage technology, and is supported by more than 600 colleagues in the UK.

In 2020 we acquired 50% of Codling Wind Park, a major offshore wind farm which will be located off the coast of Wicklow and as mentioned planning permission for what is Ireland’s largest energy infrastructure project was submitted during the summer.

We have also entered into a 50:50 partnership to develop the Emerald and Western Star floating offshore wind farms, to be located off the coasts of Cork and Clare, respectively. Together, these three projects could power over two million homes across Ireland.

As EDF Renewables Ireland's plans progress, what will be the likely career opportunities it creates?  

PG: Ireland’s renewable energy industry is growing at a rapid pace — with over 5,000 people already working in the onshore wind industry around the country. That number will only increase as Ireland’s offshore wind and solar markets continue to develop.

At EDF Renewables we are continuing to grow our team to support an increasing range of projects and place a big focus on employing local suppliers wherever possible. As a result, these projects will also create jobs locally during the construction phase and into operation.

To give an example, Codling Wind Park will create over 1,000 jobs in the construction phase and 75 new, long-term jobs associated with its proposed Operations and Maintenance Base at Wicklow Port.