From October 10 – 13, 2023, a delegation of 13 Dutch companies and knowledge institutions participated in a successful visit to Ireland. The core of the program consisted of participation in the first offshore wind trade fair in Ireland; the Wind Energy Trade Show Ireland, organized by Wind Energy Ireland. The mission and participation in the Trade Show was organized by Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE), together with the Dutch Embassy in Dublin and RVO/ICEP.

The Dutch delegation consisted of: GustoMSC, HSM Offshore Energy, Mammoet, Van Oord Offshore Wind, Acta Marine, Damen Shipyards, N-Sea, Windcat Workboats, IQIP, TNO, Monobase Wind, Lobster Robotics, TU Delft Wind Energy Institute.

The Ireland visit kicked off on Tuesday afternoon with a joint Netherlands-Belgium-Ireland business session, during which the Dutch delegation was able to expand their network with Belgium and Irish stakeholders and (local) government. This event was followed by an informal Dutch delegation dinner in the evening.

On Wednesday and Thursday the Wind Energy Trade Show took place. Since it was the first time ever this event was organized, Wind Energy Ireland did a great job by gathering the Irish supply chain and important stakeholders, which resulted in great conversations and expanding networks for the Dutch participants within the Netherlands Lounge. HHWE already secured their spot for the upcoming edition of the Trade Show in 2024, which will take place on November 6-7, 2024, in Dublin.

The mission was concluded on Friday with a company visit to ESB Renewables, one of the developers of offshore wind farms in Ireland.

Ireland wants to have 7 GW of offshore wind operational by 2030. These are bottom-fixed projects in the first phase, but in the near future floating wind projects will also be developed in Ireland. The Irish ambition for floating wind: 30 GW by 2050, but the potential is many times greater, especially on the Irish west coast.

This activity is organized in the framework of the Partners for International Business Program (PIB) Offshore Wind Ireland. More information about this PIB can be found here.

For more information about offshore wind in Ireland and the opportunities for Dutch companies, please contact Holland Home of Wind Energy or Kees Mokveld from RVO/ICEP.