Cork Chamber’s energy forum to bring new opportunities

A new forum has been launched in Cork with a goal to drive the development of the region’s offshore renewables sector.

Launched this week by Cork Chamber, the Cork Offshore Renewable Industry Forum (CORIF) looks to support the achievement of national climate and energy targets, while also unlocking significant economic opportunities for Cork.

The forum will bring together representatives of the offshore renewables industry to identify key policy and infrastructure enablers that will ensure Cork benefits fully from the development of offshore renewables.

Current members include Bord Gáis, BayWa r.e., GNI, ESB, Mainport Holdings, Statkraft, Simply Blue, Ørsted, DP Energy, and Green Rebel.

CEO of Cork Chamber, Conor Healy, said the launch of CORIF is the result of many months of engagement with a broad range of industry representatives.

“CORIF will provide a platform for industry leaders to collectively voice their needs and concerns regarding the direction of infrastructure and policy development, both in Cork and further afield,” said Mr Healy.

“The development of offshore renewable energy presents the economic opportunity of a generation for Cork. Cork Harbour’s existing geostrategic advantages, infrastructure and energy ecosystem make it the ideal location for the development of an offshore renewables hub on a global scale,” he added.

CORIF’s newly appointed Chair, Catherine Sheridan, said: “CORIF will provide an essential forum for collaboration among industry leaders, laying the groundwork for effective engagement with elected officials and public representatives as we strive to meet our ambitious climate and energy targets in the years ahead.

“CORIF will be the voice for the offshore renewables industry in Cork and I am confident that we will succeed in helping to deliver enabling policy and infrastructure for this critical sector in Cork and beyond.”