The Interim Report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce which sets out the environmental and economic opportunity of the region has been welcomed.

Recognising the significant moment for the region, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Frances Foley said: "Perhaps Ireland's greatest every opportunity sits off the west coast by virtue of the best winds in Europe that can now finally be harvested through floating wind technology.  

"The giant turbines needed to do that can only be assembled in sheltered estuary waters of huge depths and the Shannon Estuary is not just one of few water courses in Europe with those depths. Our proximity here to those winds means that we simply have no choice but to go after this opportunity.   

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"Add in the fact that Europe has to diversify from Russian oil and gas to renewables, as well as climate change targets and it’s not just a case of if but when we are going to start accelerating this opportunity.  

"It's not too bold to say that we are in a similar position today that the Middle East was in over 80 years ago when oil was first struck there. But ours is a green fuel that is going to renew rather than damage the environment. It's a remarkable confluence of events and we need to do all in our power as a region and state to make sure this opportunity is realised."

Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Dr. Pat Daly commented: "We can be grateful to the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce members for their tireless work in setting out a roadmap that has the capacity to have the Shannon Estuary, with Limerick city as its main urban centre, on a global map of world energy leaders. Better still that we will be a green energy player. Limerick City and County Council is delighted to play its part in this.   

"What we have here is an opportunity at a scale that we've never experienced before in the region or, indeed, State. The onus is on all key stakeholders, from local authorities to universities and industry to promotional agencies, to work closely together to make sure we make the most of this. It's an investment in future generations that we just have to make."