ENERGY delegates gathered in Limerick this Monday (October 13) for the fourth edition of Limerick Chamber’s Energy on the Estuary, a flagship renewable energy summit.
The event took place at the new Verizon offices at 1BQ along the city quays, gathering industry professionals and eager listeners to help accelerate Ireland’s renewable energy transition with a focus on the Mid West’s role in achieving national and EU climate targets.
This years gathering was themed ‘From Port to Power: Unlocking the Mid West’s Energy Potential’, and brought together leaders from government, industry, academia, and international delegations to explore how the Mid West can drive Ireland’s clean energy transition.
The event also offered a platform for collaboration, focusing on the region’s strategic assets – from Shannon Foynes Port to robust grid connections and the abundance of natural assets – positioning the Mid West as a linchpin for Ireland’s offshore wind, hydrogen, and other energy generation industries.
Fianna Fáil Minister Timmy Dooley opened the event, which featured by a host of panel discussions about offshore renewable energy (ORE), decarbonisation, and green port development.
Pat Keating, CEO of Shannon Foynes Port Company, told audiences the West Coast is critical when it comes to port and infrastructure investment.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Mr Keating said this is down to “the humongous resource of West Coast, but it’s also the harness that we need a deep water port and the Shannon Estuary”.
“That’s two huge natural assets co-located beside each other, which are hugely complementary of each other.”
The Mid West’s role in Ireland’s clean energy transition was also a topic of discussion, something Mr Keating maintains the Mid West holds a unique selling point on.
“We have 1,200 hectares of zoned land across the estuary, so we can integrate our demand with our supply, which is again hugely unique to have both facets of that available along the Mid West region and along the Shannon Estuary.”
The Shannon Foynes Port Company invested €600m to build a new deep water port at Foynes Island. The 800-metre jetty will be able to handle both ORE requirements and offshore renewable requirements, as well as being able to cater for organic and logistics growth at the port, with completion expected by 2033.
Limerick Chamber president Mairead Connolly said that “Energy on the Estuary has become the pulse point for Ireland’s renewable future. The Mid West is not just part of the national conversation – it is where the future of energy generation, innovation, and sustainability will be built.”
She said the annual event “proves that collaboration is the foundation of progress”.
“It comes at an appropriate time where the government used last week’s budget, as well as the NPD (National Development Plan), to signal and investment pathway for capital infrastructure in Ireland – we need to ensure that the Mid West is a part of that pathway.”
Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher added her belief that the Mid West could become “an energy powerhouse.”
“What stood out today was the united show of force from across the region — with Chambers from Limerick, Shannon, Galway, Kerry, and Tipperary all aligned behind a shared goal: to unlock energy security and realise the region’s renewable potential. The momentum built here will drive tangible outcomes for businesses and communities alike.”
