In early April 2024, the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), in collaboration with the Killybegs Marine Cluster, hosted a pivotal cross-governmental Offshore Wind Delivery Task Force (OWDT) meeting in Killybegs. This high-level gathering brought together senior officials from five key government departments:
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM)
- The Department of Transport (DOT)
- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE)
- The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHEIRS)
- The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)
The meeting underscored Killybegs strategic role in Irelands offshore wind development, fostering dialogue on policy alignment, infrastructure readiness, workforce development, and innovation to accelerate the country’s renewable energy ambitions.
The meeting was co-chaired by Paul Hannigan, Head of College at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Anne-Marie Conlon, Head of Economic Development at Donegal County Council (DCC). Their leadership facilitated strategic conversations on workforce development, supply chain readiness, and the role of regional stakeholders in supporting Irelands transition to renewable energy, reinforcing Killybegs potential as a leading centre for floating offshore wind innovation. During the meeting, senior staff from the Atlantic Technological University reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the activities of the Killybegs Marine Cluster and advancing the transition of the Killybegs campus toward marine and Blue Economy opportunities. Their focus remains on key areas such as skills and talent development, research and innovation, and fostering industry partnerships. By aligning academic expertise with industry needs, ATU aims to strengthen the regional workforce, drive technological advancements, and position Killybegs as a hub for sustainable marine economic growth. This commitment further solidifies the collaboration between academia, government, and industry in shaping the future of Irelands Blue Economy.
The visit of five government departments was a valuable opportunity to educate the Offshore Wind Delivery Task Force (OWDT) on the strategic importance of Killybegs in Irelands offshore wind ambitions and historic record of energy transition by delivering the largest offshore construction project in the history of the Irish state, Corrib Oil & Gas field. By showcasing the work and impact of the Killybegs Marine Cluster and its members, the delegation gained firsthand insight into the marine engineering capability, supply chain strength, and industrial capacity in supporting the offshore wind sector.
A key focus of the visit was providing a comprehensive overview of the port infrastructure, its current capabilities, and the future vision for capital investment to enhance its role as a hub for offshore renewables. Discussions also explored how Killybegs can best support the offshore wind industry on the west coast of Ireland while ensuring long-term economic resilience for coastal communities. By positioning Killybegs as a centre of marine innovation and infrastructure development, the visit reinforced the need for strategic government investment and policy alignment to future-proof Irelands Blue Economy.
This visit was significant for several reasons. First, bringing together five government departments in one room was a major achievement, demonstrating a strong commitment from both the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the government to engage with the Killybegs Marine Cluster. Credit is due to ATU for facilitating this important discussion, as well as to the departments for recognizing the strategic importance of Killybegs in Irelands offshore wind ambitions.
The primary objective was to showcase Killybegs as a leading provider of specialist marine expertise, infrastructure, and education to support the emerging opportunities within offshore wind. The discussions focused on the existing enabling infrastructure in Killybegs, its readiness to support the offshore wind supply chain, and the need for strategic investment to enhance its capabilities. Additionally, the visit addressed the complexities of port infrastructure and the political challenges surrounding port development across the island of Ireland. Other significant challenges discussed were matters relating to Grid connectivity and the existing constraint on the grid within the Northwest Region. This series of visits provided government representatives with firsthand insight into how Killybegs industrial capabilities align with Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, recently launched at the International Offshore Wind tradeshow in Bilbao, Spain. It reinforced the role of the Killybegs Marine Cluster ambition to help drive economic growth, innovation, and supply chain development within the Blue Economy and offshore wind sector.
At the conclusion of the meeting, this large delegation visited several Killybegs Marine Cluster member companies, showcasing the regions active role in the offshore wind supply chain. The visit included Mooney Boats, where delegates observed the production of crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for both domestic and international offshore wind markets. They also visited MMG Ocean, which has established a strategic partnership with Scottish company Ocean Kinetics, further expanding opportunities in the international offshore wind sector. The delegation toured Killybegs Electrical Refrigeration (KER Group) to see how the company is pivoting towards offshore wind opportunities, and SeaQuest Systems, which specializes in heavy marine engineering and exports specialist equipment globally, including for offshore renewable energy (ORE).
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The ATU in collaboration with the Killybegs Marine Cluster met with Peter Coyle (MRIA), Paul Hegarty (NMCI), Liam Curran (EI), Neil Harrison (The Bryden Centre) to discuss possible collaborative educational opportunities with the marine sector.
The Atlantic Technological University (ATU), in collaboration with the Killybegs Marine Cluster, recently met with Peter Coyle from the Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA), Paul Hegarty, Head of College at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), Liam Curran, Senior Technologist from Enterprise Ireland, and Neil Harrison from the Bryden Centre to discuss fostering educational collaborations within the maritime sector. Also in attendance at the meeting were key representatives from the Killybegs Marine Cluster, Karl Bonner and Atlantic Technological University (ATU), including John-Andy Bonar, Principal Investigator for the Killybegs Marine Cluster and VP for Research, Equality, and External Affairs at ATU; Paddy Hannigan, Senior Lecturer in Engineering; Thomas Dowling, Head of Faculty; and Gertie Taggart, Head of Apprenticeships at ATU and Eve-Anne McCarron External Engagement Manager (ATU).
The meeting focused on strengthening ties between NMCI and ATU to create pathways for marine engineering education and workforce development. Key topics included leveraging existing maritime skills, particularly among fisheries personnel and seafarers, who have the expertise to transition into the offshore wind sector. The discussion explored how to nurture and expand this nucleus of skills, ensuring that Irelands workforce is prepared to meet the demands of the growing Blue Economy. By aligning training programs, industry needs, and research opportunities, the collaboration aims to build a strong pipeline of talent and innovation to support Irelands marine and offshore renewable sectors.
Their involvement brought academic leadership and industry expertise into the discussion, reinforcing the strategic focus on education, skills development, and workforce transition within the maritime sector. With a strong emphasis on marine engineering opportunities, the meeting explored how existing expertise particularly among fisheries personnel and seafarers can be leveraged and adapted to meet the demands of offshore wind and the broader Blue Economy. The collaboration between ATU, NMCI, Enterprise Ireland, and industry stakeholders is a key step in developing tailored educational programs, apprenticeships, and training pathways that will support Irelands position as a global leader in marine innovation and offshore renewable energy.