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For Written Answer on : 20/03/2024
Question Number(s): 96 Question Reference(s): 12003/24
Department: Environment, Climate and Communications
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications to outline the presence he or his Departmental officials will have at the Wind Europe annual event in Bilbao, Spain from 20-22 March 2024; his Department’s proposed contribution to the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
I and officials from my Department are attending the Wind Europe Annual Event 2024 in Bilbao. l will be presenting Ireland’s wind energy policies to the global wind energy sector and investors at a Ministerial Plenary Session on Offshore Wind, along with other European Ministers and senior figures from the world of business.
The conference one of the largest wind industry meetings in the world with an expect 12,000 people attending. This conference will be critical in helping us attract investment needed to meet Ireland’s onshore and offshore wind targets and to maximise the economic and social benefits to Ireland as a result.
My Department will be joined by representatives from the all-of-Government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce. This will include representation from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Transport, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, SEAI, as well as those working in the Irish wind industry at an Ireland Pavilion at the conference. Our engagement at the conference will include specific ‘Ireland Markets Sessions’ to flag business opportunities for companies and investors interested in Irish market. Speakers for this session will include members from the Offshore Wind Deliver Taskforce.