INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND SPONSORS OF REGIONAL FOCUS
OFFSHORE LICENSING In 2012, the Crown Estate and Department of Trade and Enterprise (DETINI) will be issuing licenses for sites for Northern Ireland waters as part of their Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020. A number of licenses will become available to harness 600MW of offshore wind and 200MW from tidal resources. These include up to 200MW of tidal energy generation near Rathlin Island and up to 600 MW of electricity generated off the Co Down coast. The successful developers will be appointed later this year and the projects will be operational for 2020.
CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY Northern Ireland is quickly becoming a centre for renewable energy, especially for offshore wind farms based in the Irish Sea. This is evidenced by the recent £50 million investment made by Belfast Harbour in the development of a 50 acre Offshore Wind Logistics Terminal for DONG Energy. This facility, due to be completed in October 2012, will be the first purpose built offshore wind port facility in the UK and serves to demonstrate that world leading renewable players such as DONG Energy, see Northern Ireland as the ideal location for their activities in this sector.
OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN OPPORTUNITIES In terms of offshore wind development Northern Ireland also offers very good prospects for companies in the supply chain. Key areas of supply chain opportunity include research and development, device manufacturing and assembly, installation and decommissioning engineering services, and operation and maintenance services. Invest NI has been actively developing
Left to right - Attending the DONG Energy’s Offshore Wind Logistics Terminal, Belfast Harbour Supply Chain event in Nov 2011 are Michael Robinson, Belfast Harbour, David Hill, Anglo North Irish Energy Service, Tracy Meharg, Invest NI, Anne Gallagher, ARCH, and Chris Boreland, Fugro - BKS Ltd
The centre compliments the new Energy Competence Centre which will focus on further research and development for the biomass, wind, marine and integrated building technologies industries.
this opportunity to assist Northern Ireland companies to supply into these markets. Tracy Meharg, Managing Director of Innovation and Capability at Invest NI, states “Our priority is to promote market opportunities emerging from the renewable energy sector and raise awareness of the benefits of collaboration in developing supply chain opportunities. We also want to raise Northern Ireland’s profile as a key player in the sector and its attractiveness to foreign direct investment. Our low operating costs, experienced workforce and strong supply chain make Northern Ireland an ideal location for anyone looking to make the most of opportunities in this sector.”
BACK TO THE FOREFRONT OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING This resurgence in engineering has put Northern Ireland back on the international map and is further enhanced by ongoing developments in composite technology and establishment of the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE). This Centre of Excellence is spearheaded jointly by the two universities to support the advancements of composite aircraft wings by Bombardier and composite bus manufacture by Wrightbus Ltd.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SKILLS With the development of new and advanced energy technologies, it is acknowledged that new skills will also be required both by local and international companies and Northern Ireland’s further education colleges have been proactive in developing training courses to meet current and future demand. These include wind turbine apprentice training by Belfast Metropolitan College, Wind Energy Project Management at South West College and Offshore Accreditation offered through South Eastern Regional College.
SUMMARY Overall Northern Ireland with its excellent infrastructure, strong engineering skill base and reputation for innovation is clearly an ideal location for the Renewable Sector.
Invest Northern Ireland
www.investni.com
= See video library online
= See video 3 = See video 2
e = See enhanced entry online
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 45
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