We held our annual Energy Conference in The Clayton Hotel, Cork City on Thursday 14 September from 10.30am - 3.00pm. The event, held in association with the Irish Examiner, focused on The Future of Energy Investment in Ireland.
Keynote speakers included Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, and Simon Mundy, Financial Times journalist and author of Race for Tomorrow: Survival, Innovation and Profit on the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis. Broadcaster Jonathan Healy was our MC on the day and the event was chaired by Eoin Cassidy, Partner and Energy Sector Lead, Mason Hayes & Curran.
Survey Results
Our audience poll highlighted the sector's belief that Ireland will not meet the target of 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
59% of respondents said less than 2GW of offshore wind capacity will be installed by 2030, and 41% said that more than 2GW but less than the 5GW target would be achieved.
The majority (72%) said that increased interconnection with the UK and mainland Europe was critical to delivering our off-shore wind ambitions.
However, there was more positivity around the proposed reforms to Ireland’s planning system.
Almost all (86%) respondents expect the proposed reforms to Irish planning law to have a positive effect on the sector.
The survey also found that planning uncertainty (48%) is Ireland’s greatest energy challenge when addressing our energy infrastructure deficit, followed by grid availability (35%).
Panel Discussions
Three panels of industry and legal experts covered the following topics:
Tackling Ireland’s Energy Infrastructure Deficit
Panellists Included:
- Gillian Kinsella, Senior Policy Manager, Bord Gáis Energy
- Paul Lennon, Head of Offshore Wind, Hydrogen and Long Term Storage, ESB
- Des Cox, Planning and Environmental Lead, EirGrid
-
Chelsey O’Doherty, Senior Associate, Construction, Infrastructure & Utilities, Mason Hayes & Curran
The Opportunities and Challenges for Energy FDI in Ireland
Panellists Included:
- Cáit Caden, Business Reporter, Irish Examiner
- Seán Maguire, Managing Director, Impax Asset Management
- Paul O’Donnell, Partner, Schroders Greencoat
- Donal O’Sullivan, Head of Development, Statkraft Ireland
- Austin Coughlan, Head of Irish Investments, Temporis Capital
- Kevin Mangan, Partner & Co-Head of Tax, Mason Hayes & Curran
Legal Review of Ireland’s Energy Transition
Panellists Included:
- Peter McLay, Partner, Construction, Infrastructure & Utilities, Mason Hayes & Curran
- Emer Shelly, Partner, Corporate Governance & ESG, Mason Hayes & Curran
- Rob McDwyer, Partner, Construction, Infrastructure & Utilities, Mason Hayes & Curran
- Jay Sattin, Partner, Planning and Environment, Mason Hayes & Curran
If you have a question about any of the topics discussed, don't hesitate to contact a member of our Energy team.
