During Climate Week, PorterShed will host the launch of Energy West, a new initiative dedicated to sparking a just and inclusive energy transition in the West of Ireland. Energy West brings people, ideas, and influence together to empower communities, shape bold policy, and strengthen energy resilience through collaboration and action.
From Galway’s Atlantic Edge to the World: Energy West Launches to Pioneer Inclusive Clean Energy Futures
Its mission is clear: to amplify local voices, unlock the region’s power to lead in clean energy innovation, and ensure the transition delivers both prosperity and fairness. The vision is for the West of Ireland to become a global beacon for clean energy, where community, innovation, and policy align to create a more sustainable future, a place rooted in local strength and reaching toward global leadership. Energy West brings together leading voices from science, business, policy, and community to turn this vision into collective impact.
Dr James Glynn, PhD, Founder and CEO of Energy Systems Modelling Analytics and chair of Energy West, said, “Traditional economic planning often underestimates energy’s role; the truth is that energy fuels nearly half of our prosperity. Energy West is a catalyst to ignite ambition and long-term strategic planning in the West of Ireland. From young to old, community to industry, Energy West is a forum for coordinating a shared vision for a thriving, caring future, harnessing our region’s abundant clean energy to prosper within Earth’s limits.”
Speaking ahead of the launch, Dara Ó Maoildhia Cathaoirlech and co-founder of the Aran Islands Energy Cooperative, said: “Energy West will be a coordinating and supportive body for all energy transition initiatives in Galway and further afield. If Energy West takes a bottom-up approach, we can energise citizens in their local communities to get involved and use the energy transition as an opportunity for local empowerment. Galway is already an exciting place to be, full of green initiatives. Energy West can drive this forward.”
The launch will take place in PorterShed a Dó on Market Street. Hosting the event reflects PorterShed’s role as a convenor of high-impact communities. “Supporting Energy West is a natural fit for PorterShed,” said Yvonne Comer, Senior Innovation Catalyst. “It’s about unlocking the West’s potential to create high-impact, sustainable jobs, which is PorterShed’s wider mission. By anchoring this work in Galway, we’re laying the foundations for a new hub in renewables, one that can attract investment, support innovation, and deliver real value to communities across the region.”
The launch programme includes keynote talks, a panel featuring experts from business, research, and community, and an open town hall discussion on the role of Galway and the West in shaping Ireland’s energy future.
Event Details:
Energy West Launch
Date: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: PorterShed 2, Market Street, Galway, H91 TCX3
Register now through the PorterShed website Here
For more information, please contact:
Nigel Moran nigel@portershed.com
More about the Portershed
The Galway City Innovation District was set up in 2015 with the aim of transforming Galway into a tech hub where all sorts of start-up ideas could be brought to life. At the same time, it became clear that multinational companies looking to Ireland needed somewhere on the west coast they could be based as a landing place.
The PorterShed was the brainchild of the co-founders, originally established in May 2016, and the rate of innovation in Galway has increased significantly as a result. The very first building was based behind Ceannt Station in Galway city, and two more buildings followed thereafter – PorterShed a hAon at Bowling Green, and PorterShed a Do on Market Street.
The PorterShed has hosted many amazing companies – both indigenous and multinational – over the years, and we are focused on creating high-value sustainable jobs so that those who want to live and work in Galway can do so.
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