Port of Waterford has lodged a direct planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for its Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Capable Terminal at Belview, County Kilkenny. This marks a major milestone for the company, the oldest Port in Ireland, with its application reinforcing Waterford’s ambition to play a central role in shaping the future of the country’s renewable energy sector.
The application follows the recent granting of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), which provides the legal basis for the Port to seek permission to develop the new infrastructure. Securing the MAC was a crucial step in advancing the South East as a hub for offshore wind, and it now allows the Port of Waterford to progress its vision of building a purpose-designed ORE terminal.
The scale of the proposed development reflects both the immediate and long-term needs of the sector. Central to the project is a 250-metre extension to the existing wharves at Belview. The application also provides for extensive land reclamation, new quayside operator support facilities with workshops and warehouses, berthing pontoons, and two separate three-storey office and staff buildings for ORE operators. The development includes a replacement electricity substation, underground services, roof-mounted solar PV arrays to generate renewable power on site, and a dedicated biodiversity enhancement area of approximately 1.8 hectares.
The investment will transform the Port’s capacity to support large-scale offshore renewable energy projects, creating the conditions for Waterford to act as a strategic staging ground for major developments such as the proposed Tonn Nua Offshore Wind Farm and future projects across the Celtic Sea. With Ireland committed to generating 7 GW of offshore wind by 2030, the ORE Capable Terminal at Waterford is designed to support this target and beyond. This positions the Port not only as a logistics gateway, but as a leader in delivering a just transition to a low-carbon economy for the South East and the wider country.
The economic potential is equally significant. Beyond its immediate construction and operational benefits, the ORE Capable Terminal represents a long-term investment in sustainable business and regional prosperity. The project will generate high-quality jobs across maritime operations, engineering, logistics, and green technology, while also creating opportunities for SMEs and local suppliers to integrate into the offshore wind supply chain.
Speaking on the application, CEO at Port of Waterford, David Sinnott, says, “This is a landmark day for Port of Waterford. Our application is about more than new infrastructure — it’s about creating jobs, driving growth in the South East, and helping Ireland meet its 2030 climate goals. Waterford has been a maritime gateway for over a thousand years, and now we are ready to lead Ireland into its offshore renewable future.”
