19 May 2023

Supporting the accelerated growth of the fixed Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector is a
key component of the “Port of Cork Masterplan 2050” which was launched today by Eamon
Ryan T.D. Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for
Transport, at the Port of Cork, on Friday, 19th of May 2023.

The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) Masterplan outlines its plans and ambitions over the next
three decades and provides an integrated framework for the port to strategically plan and
adapt to meet the needs of Ireland’s future social, economic and environmental
development. It includes plans to support the green energy sector and a roadmap outlining
the Port’s ‘River to Sea’ journey, consolidating all activities in the lower harbour by 2050.
Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister
for Transport, stated, “ I am delighted to be on-site today to be guided through the
Masterplan and to see first-hand the world-class facilities that are already in place at the
Port of Cork.

Cork Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. It has been a working port
for centuries and is one of Ireland’s major employment hubs. The Port of Cork Masterplan
offers a strategic blueprint towards the future, with the facilitation of fixed Offshore
Renewable Energy as a central part of the plan, with full planning permission already in
place to provide essential onshore infrastructure resources. I also welcome the port's
ambitions to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, reaching
NetZero emissions by 2050, in accordance with the government's Climate Action Plan 2023.
This new plan is definitely charting a course to a new sustainable and secure future for the
Port.”

Eoin McGettigan, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Cork Company stated, “Historically,
the Port of Cork has been an energy hub for the region by facilitating the import of fuels such
as coal, oil, timber, and land-based wind turbines. As we make the necessary move away
from fossil fuel consumption, the Port of Cork will continue to play a key role in facilitating
the future energy needs of the country as a hub for renewable fuels, transition fuels and
offshore energy streams.
McGettigan continued, “The Port of Cork is a commercial port and to ensure its ongoing
competitiveness, we must adapt to the rapidly changing customer expectations which are

pressuring the shipping industry to deliver goods in a faster, more flexible, and sustainable
manner at low delivery cost. To do this, we must provide our customers with reliable, safe,
high-performing facilities and services, and be an efficient link in the logistics chain. Despite
this commercial ambition, we are extremely aware of our heritage and the role we play in
our local community. As we endeavour to meet changing demands, the well-being of the
people of Cork and its environment will continue to be embedded in our values, and be
reflected in every decision we make.”

To find out more about the Port of Cork and to read the ‘Port of Cork Masterplan 2050’
Executive Summary, please visit www.portofcork.ie/Masterplan2050.