Neasa Kane-Fine
Director - Project Communications
RPS attends Ireland’s first ever Wind Energy Trade Show
The event combined Ireland’s growing domestic supply chain, the key players in the global wind energy industry and cutting-edge research from both Ireland and internationally.
We were delighted to attend Ireland’s first ever Wind Energy Trade Show in the Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown last month. The event combined Ireland’s growing domestic supply chain, the key players in the global wind energy industry and cutting-edge research from both Ireland and internationally.
Our experts from across Ireland & the UK in areas such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) coordination, planning, communications, ornithology, bats, seascaping, marine mammals and acoustics were fielding questions throughout the event, demonstrating our expertise across all areas of onshore and offshore wind.
In addition to our strong presence at the Business Lounge, we also had a number of speaking opportunities. Our Director of Project Communications, Neasa Kane Fine, chaired the opening Keynote Panel Session which discussed government and industry collaboration with delegates from RWE Renewables, Inis Offshore Wind, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications.
Later on that morning, our Director of Planning, Valerie Brennan, delivered a talk entitled ‘Where is An Bord Pleanála’s thinking on design flexibility?’ on the Research & Innovation Stage. Following the publication of legislation regarding design flexibility, Valerie shared key insights on established precedent in the Irish planning system and important considerations for developers, informed by her Phase 1 project experience and industry soundings.
Finally, our Director of Planning & Environment in Northern Ireland, Raymond Holbeach, gave a presentation entitled ‘Visualisation and SLVIA in the development of offshore wind projects’. In his presentation, Raymond spoke about our use of specialist visualisation tools and AI/VR in offshore developments which helps our clients to optimise their array designs and aids the public consultation process.
The event allowed us to build relationships and network with over 1,200 delegates who attended from across Ireland, Europe and further afield, all looking to work together to build the industry that will lead Ireland’s response to the climate emergency and realise our energy independence.
