Plenary I

Offshore Wind, Carbon Neutral Energy by 2050
Date: Tuesday, 6 th June , 2023
Time: 9.00-11:00 am
Location: UCH

Keynote: Una Brosnan, Head of Offshore Strategy & New Markets
Moderator: Liam Lacey – Director of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO)
Panelists:
Philip Cole, Director of Industrial Affairs, WindEurope.
Peter Lefroy,  Director of RWE Renewables Ireland
Noel Cunniffe,  CEO Wind Energy Ireland
Jeannine Dunne, Head of Marine Advisory GDG
Jerry Hallissey, Head of Business Development for Shannon Foynes Port

By International agreement we seek to greatly expand the production and use of renewable energy with off-shore wind set for very large growth in many coastal and ocean territories. The stretch ambition is to realise carbon neutral energy production by 2050 in the interest of arresting climate change.   Such ambition poses great challenges for humanity and the Ocean Technology Community must play a key role in achieving this.  This panel of experts shall provide detailed insights into the challenges to be faced and routes we commit to follow in Ireland, and across the World to achieve the change to a future where our energy production does not pose significant threat to climate change and our environment.

Úna Brosnan
Head of Offshore Strategy & New Markets, Mainstream Renewable Power

Úna Brosnan is the Head of Ireland, Offshore at Mainstream Renewable Power, member of the Mainstream Global Offshore leadership team and non-exec director with Renewable UK.
Úna is Chartered Engineer with a Masters in Sustainable Energy Systems with 22 year industry experience with over 12 years immersed in Renewables.  She has extensive multi discipline project, business and innovation experience having worked both in development and supply chain businesses with experience in international governments engagement, highlighting & lobbing  industry technical & regulatory challenges, and support  a solutions driven approach as we address delivery challenges in our supply chain, grid, commercialising floating offshore wind  whilst navigating an every changing policy environment  and  compete to delivery in an accelerating global market.Read More

Liam Lacey
Director of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO)

Liam Lacey is Director of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) and formerly worked with Irish Continental Group as Managing Director of its Container and Terminal Division.  He has extensive experience in shipping, chartering and port development.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland and holds a Masters Degree in management from Trinity College, Dublin.

Philip Cole
Director of Industrial Affairs, WindEurope

WindEurope is the trade association representing over 500 companies in the wind industry. Focused on supporting and growing the wind energy industry’s manufacturing presence in Europe, he ensures that the voice of manufactures and the wider supply chain is heard and that they can access the support they need through his established networks within the European Commission, European Parliament, OECD and National Governments. Read More

Peter Lefroy
Director of RWE Renewables Irelande

Peter Lefroy is a Director of RWE Renewables Ireland. RWE is leading the way to a green energy world, expanding its green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030 by investing €50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade in offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, biomass and gas. RWER Ireland is undertaking long-term investments into onshore wind, offshore wind and battery storage projects. Our objective is to grow a renewables business from greenfield sites as a long-term energy partner for Ireland during its energy transition to 2030 and beyond. Already with an operational wind farm, two battery storage facilities and both onshore and offshore wind farms in development, our current Irish portfolio is managed by our experienced team in Kilkenny and Dun Laoghaire. Read More

Noel Cunniffe
CEO of Wind Energy Ireland 

Noel Cunniffe is the CEO of Wind Energy Ireland which is Ireland’s largest renewable energy association and works with a wide range of stakeholders to build understanding and awareness of the benefits of wind and renewable energy. Prior to becoming CEO, Noel led Wind Energy Ireland’s Policy department in driving policy development across all aspects of the onshore and offshore renewable industry in Ireland. Previously, Noel was the Renewable Integration Lead in EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator of Ireland, and worked across several departments including electricity grid planning and operation, and the design of the electricity market of Ireland. He is a Chartered Engineer with Engineer’s Ireland.

Jeannine Dunne
Head of Marine Advisory GDG

Jeannine is as an experienced professional with over 20 years’ experience in areas including policy analysis and the provision of policy and legislative advice across both terrestrial and marine areas. Jeannine has a proven track record in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering robust consents and infrastructure in the Foreshore area. She also has extensive experience in relation to reducing the risk of judicial review and other legal challenges in a constantly evolving legal environment.
Jeannine has experience of working within the complex legislative system, ensuring compliance with both EU and National legislation in the environmental area. She has previously led on drafting legislation (Waste Management Collection Permit Regulations, transposition of the 2014 EIA Directive) and provided strategic advice on reforming primary legislation (Maritime Area Planning Act 2021). She has undertaken assessments of EUSF funded infrastructure projects ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation. Read More

Jerry Hallissey Head of Business Development for Shannon Foynes Port

Shannon Foynes port is the statutory authority for the 500 square kilometer Shannon Estuary, it is Irelands largest bulk port and second largest overall, with channel depts of up to 32 meters, it is the deepest and most sheltered estuary in Ireland. Jerry Hallissey has been involved in maritime, logistics and supply chain industries for over 30 years, he has been involved in projects in Ireland, UK, Europe and the United States and has created and delivered customer centric supply chain solutions to various industry sectors.