It is quite ironic that for a city so perched on the western edge of Europe that in economic terms we have spent such little time in actually looking out to sea. Perhaps back in the Middle Ages, when the city was accessed easier by the water, we looked out to sea for protective reasons, to ward off any dangers that might come in on the overnight tide.
However, more and more we are realising that great potential lies in those great waters that lash against us every winter to remind us just how fierce they can be.
Much has been made of the tourism potential of the waters, but an even greater benefit can be accrued if we truly embrace the issue of wind energy.
In recent weeks, as we are horrified by the scenes of slaughter from Ukraine, we have been reminded of the increased politicization of energy; and how this process can be used to enable war chests to be amassed and used in the savage and brutal way we have seen on the streets of Kiev and Mariupol.
We have seen too how vulnerable vast tracts of Europe are to such a politicization. Bigger economies than ours.
With electricity demand projected to increase by between 19% and 50% by 2030, the roll out of renewables cannot come soon enough.
The strong offshore winds off the west coast presents a unique opportunity for Ireland, to both decarbonise and secure electricity supply. Ironically, Ireland’s position as a late adopter of the technology could speed up the buildout.
Our landscape is already dotted with turbines, rotating in perfect sync courtesy of the breezes that spread across the provinces.
However, an offshore wind farm has numerous advantages over onshore windfarms. The turbines are much bigger and can capture more energy; out at sea there are higher average wind speeds; and there are no obstacles, something that can affect their performance.
Next week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin will address a conference in Galway on the potential of wind energy for Galway, and the west. It will kickstart a conversation and a debate that already has much momentum.
It will also boost our ports which will be needed to service these offshore wind farms. The creme de la creme of the wind energy industry will be in the city for the event — it might well be a valuable glimpse into our local economic future.
