Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Energy - Ambition and Challenge: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Jerry Hallissey:

It is more that developers are looking at it. The consistent wind speeds in the Atlantic may require a revised turbine. Currently, turbines are quite tall and geared for winds of 10 m per second. We are fortunate that consistent wind speeds in the Atlantic are approaching 14 m per second - or climate change is responsible for it; depending on how one wishes to look at it - with a much lower overall height. From a continuity point of view, the developers are considering that, which brings part of our potential forward. If they are considering replacing existing manufacturing facilities with new facilities for different blade lengths, tower height or gearing on the turbine itself, that affords us the opportunity to attract that business to Ireland.

It is of concern to the industry that things are changing, but it has not identified anything beyond that at this point.