Ireland’s first ever Wind Energy Trade Show opens in Dublin today

Industry launches new campaign to encourage young people to #WorkinWind

More than 1,000 delegates from all over the world are expected at Ireland’s first ever Wind Energy Trade Show which opens this morning at the Sports Ireland Campus in Dublin.

The event brings together Ireland’s growing domestic supply chain, key players in the global wind energy industry, and will showcase cutting-edge Irish and international research.

During the trade show Wind Energy Ireland will launch a new online platform, workinwind.ie, which is aimed at students and young people to encourage them to pursue careers in Ireland’s rapidly growing wind industry.

Nearly a hundred different speakers will take part in a series of discussions on the Main Stage or at the Research & Innovation Stage where delegates will have an opportunity to discover exciting new technological advances and hear the latest research findings across an array of industry priorities.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD will deliver a keynote address at 12 noon on 11 October, and Minister of State at that department, Dara Calleary TD, will speak at 12.30pm on 12 October.

Already a leader

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, said: “Ireland is already a leader in the global renewable energy revolution, regularly getting a greater share of our electricity demand from wind power than anywhere else in the world.

“Earlier this year our first new offshore wind projects were awarded contracts and will shortly apply for planning permission. Together, onshore and offshore wind will not just cut our carbon emissions and help us to achieve energy independence, but they are the heart of an entirely new national industry.

“Thousands of people are working today in Ireland’s renewable energy sector. Irish businesses and companies are even now competing not just here at home, but internationally, and we are just getting started.”

Workinwind.ie

Wind Energy Ireland also announced the launch of workinwind.ie, an online platform encouraging students and young people to pursue careers in wind energy. Dozens of jobs and career paths are profiled as well as real-life case studies that highlight the diversity of careers available to young people interested in Irish green jobs.

Noel Cunniffe continued: “The renewable energy industry is growing rapidly in Ireland and around the world. Together, we are creating a future free of fossil fuels. Whatever your passion, whatever your interest, there is a place for you with us.

“Over the next ten years we will need thousands of engineers and technicians, planners and ecologists, pilots and sailors, builders and designers, accountants and lawyers, if we are to build an industry that can decarbonise Ireland’s energy supply.

“Workinwind.ie is the start of a national campaign to inform, inspire and encourage young people to join the global renewable energy revolution, to build a career and save the planet.”

Support from Government

Wind Energy Ireland acknowledged the strong support from Government for the development of the country’s wind energy industry. The trade show is supported by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA and two Government ministers will be joining the event at different times.

Noel Cunniffe continued: “Earlier this year Minister Coveney announced that his department is starting work on an industrial strategy for offshore wind. This is the time to seize the opportunity available to Ireland from having both an enormous offshore wind potential and also a thriving onshore industry with so many of the skills we need.

“The challenge is huge, but so is the prize; an Ireland that is energy-independent, with our own secure source of clean power, creating thousands of new jobs in one of the world’s most rapidly growing industries. This is the time for Ireland to finally live up to our potential to be a leader in the response to the global climate emergency. Together, we can build a clean energy future.”

Main sponsors

The trade show is sponsored by two leading offshore renewable energy developers working in Ireland, RWE Renewables and Inis Offshore Wind.

Peter Lefroy, Head of Offshore Development Ireland, with RWE Renewables said: “RWE is supporting this trade show because we pride ourselves on the close links that we have with the global supply chain. We are very interested in supporting and developing the indigenous supply chain to service the offshore industry here and to see that industry and that supply-chain growing in an international context.”

Vanessa O’Connell, Head of Inis Offshore Wind, said: “Inis Offshore Wind is really excited about the opportunity for offshore wind in Ireland and what is critical its delivery is the supply chain. So, this trade show is a real opportunity to bring together the domestic and the international supply chain to really start collaborating on delivering offshore wind for Ireland.”

The full agenda for the Trade Show is online here.