Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has welcomed news that Iarnród Éireann has confirmed it is to seek planning permission for a major transformation of Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford. The ambitious plans will double the size of the existing port and ensure it has the capability to deal with future demand from Ireland’s ambitious off shore wind energy plans. The works will also ensure that larger commercial vessels can visit the port, opening up new commercial opportunities for the South East.
Developments at the port are timely given that just last week, the rights to develop a 900 megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm were awarded to a joint venture between the ESB Group and Denmark’s Orsted off the coast of Waterford. The Tonn Nua project is expected to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 800,000 Irish homes.
The Ireland South MEP said she will play her part in helping Iarnród Éireann/Rosslare Europort to explore the draw down of even more EU funds and supports from funds like the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), an EU funding source which grants money for projects to modernise port infrastructure.
Ní Mhurchú pointed to the over €30bn EU funding stream as a vital source of funding for Irish Transport infrastructure in the South East. Iarnród Éireann/Rosslare Europort has been previously successful in drawing down EU CEF funding, for example in receiving €19.2 million towards their ‘GREEN DRIFT’ project, which will see the development of key emission-reducing port infrastructure, including berth development and Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) ramps at Rosslare.
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