Public meeting: Wind Energy for the East Coast

The Green Party Dun Laoghaire are delighted to welcome you to an open forum to explore the facts around the introduction of wind energy generation on the east coast of Ireland.

A panel of experts will discuss the implications and benefits of wind energy in the Irish Sea, their impact on the environment and what, if any, viable alternatives there are. They will be happy to answer your questions.

Join us in the remarkable surroundings of the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire at 7pm on Thursday, March 10th, to hear a discussion on this and more, with a panel of ecology, energy, engineering and legal experts.

Speakers

Steven Matthews
Steven Matthews is the Green TD for Wicklow. He is an engineer with a background in planning, environmental management and transport. He is the chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and a former Councillor.

J Owen Lewis
Professor J Owen Lewis is co-chair of the Climate & Energy Group at the Institute for International and European Affairs and was Chief Executive of SEAI 2009-12. From 2001 – 2006 he was Principal of the UCD College of Engineering, Mathematical & Physical Sciences. In 1976 co-founded the Solar Energy Society of Ireland

Alice Whittaker
Alice leads the “Tier 1” Environment and Climate Group at Philip Lee. She has maritime area planning expertise through her two decades of work for The Marine Institute, Commissioner for Irish Lights, Aqua Comms, RWE, An Bord Pleanála, Port of Cork, Mainstream Renewable Power, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and a number of coastal planning and harbour authorities.

Cian Desmond
Dr Cian Desmond is Head of Innovation at Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions. He leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers who are working on over 20 R&D projects. Cian holds a PhD in Wind Energy, a MSc. in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Massachusetts and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Wind Energy Science.

Louise Scally
Dr. Louise Scally is a professional marine ecologist with a wide range of experience in the field of conservation biology, marine habitat mapping and ecology. She has conducted field surveys and assessments of a range of marine habitats over the last 15 years for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and ESB. She was the lead author and senior ecologist of the 2016-2019 NPWS national monitoring of marine Annex I habitats for compliance under Article 17 of the EU Habitats Directive. In addition, to her scientific expertise she has an in-depth knowledge of Irish and European Environmental legislation and policy.