Scotland is leading the charge in offshore wind, and at the Exploring Wind Connections: Ireland & Scotland event at the AIM Centre in Sligo, stakeholders from across the West and Northwest of Ireland heard how we can learn – and collaborate.
Hosted by the Western Development Commission (WDC) in partnership with the Scottish Government in Ireland Representation and the North-West Regional Enterprise Plan, the event brought together key regional actors including government departments, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), Local Authorities, Killybegs Marine Cluster, the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Regional Skills Forum, private investors among others.
The event, the first of its nature, explored how the West and Northwest of Ireland can seize the once-in-a-generation opportunity that offshore renewables present, taking inspiration from Scotland’s experience. It focused on long-term planning and identified major areas for collaboration and alignment: policy, supply chain and infrastructure, education and skills development.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, commented:
“There’s no doubt that the opportunity renewables – and offshore wind in particular – brings for Ireland, and especially the West, is once in a generation. However, constraints within our grid capacity, particularly in the North West, remain the main barrier to realising that opportunity.
This isn’t just about energy. It’s about creating long-term, sustainable jobs, driving balanced regional development, and building community wealth. It’s about planning for a region that can support its young people, offer them a future here, and add real value to the wider Irish economy.
This event was about bringing the right people around the table – from skills to infrastructure, from education to enterprise – to learn from Scotland and begin planning in a coordinated way. The WDC is proud to play an orchestrating role in that, focused on long-term regional development.”
The day also explored supply chain and workforce needs, with insights from both Scottish and Irish contributors. As Ireland scales up its offshore wind ambitions, the West must be ready to train and retain welders, electricians, engineers and other key specialists. ATU was part of the discussion around preparing the next generation of talent to power the green transition.
Katy McNeil, Head of the Scottish Government in Ireland, said:
“Scottish offshore wind directly employed an estimated 3,900 people in 2022, generating 5,242GWh of electricity, 15% of all renewable energy generation in Scotland. Scottish offshore wind had an estimated turnover of £4.2 billion in 2022. This event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with key agencies and stakeholders across the West of Ireland to explore shared challenges and opportunities.
Under the bilateral agreement between our governments, there is a huge opportunity to work together – to share learning, to align policy, and to plan for the long term. The scale of the opportunity for Ireland is vast, and by working together, Ireland can follow in Scotland’s footsteps and shape a future that delivers jobs, investment, and real value for communities.”
The event marks the beginning of a continued engagement between the West and Northwest of Ireland and Scotland – two peripherally located, but strategically aligned regions, ready to lead in renewables through cooperation, shared learning and regional ambition.
