Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) is the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.
We are leaders in Ireland’s fight against climate change. We know that education is key to delivering this. We are inspired and encouraged by the ambition and drive among young people in this area.
We create jobs, invest in communities, reduce our CO2 emissions and work to end Ireland’s reliance on foreign fossil fuels.
We are Ireland’s largest renewable energy organisation with more than 190 members who have come together to plan, build, operate and support the development of the country’s chief renewable energy resource. We are an all-Ireland body, working in Northern Ireland through a partnership with our colleagues in RenewableUK.
Click here to read some FAQs about Wind Energy.
Government targets to tackle climate change means there are even more of these green jobs on the way. There is currently a skills shortage in the wind industry. Most employers in wind are currently recruiting with lots of workers from abroad also looking to work in Ireland in this area.
University courses in renewable energy have grown in number and popularity. There are also lots of options for people with transferable skills to upskill and work in the industry.
Ireland’s offshore wind industry is set to undergo a major transformation, with ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050. This is all part of the national objective to generate 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The targets have the potential to add at least €38 billion to the Irish economy over the lifetime of all installed wind farms. But to do this we need skilled workers. We need people in schools and colleges across Ireland who are planning their path to www.workinwind.ie right now.
The Building our Potential: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Skills and Talent Needs report, produced for Green Tech Skillnet and Wind Energy Ireland by BVG Associates, is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the opportunities for Irish businesses to be part of delivering the target of 37 GW of offshore wind energy by 2050.
But significant investment in training and skills development will be needed to maximise the economic benefit to Ireland from the development of offshore wind farms. While there is already a growing number of Irish companies involved in offshore wind energy, including some competing internationally, the industry will need far more workers if it is to achieve the targets set by Government.
The report identifies numerous parallel industries, such as marine and engineering, where workers have skills transferable to wind energy development. This suggests targeted investment in upskilling and retraining could yield significant employment opportunities.
Wind farms provided 32% per cent of Ireland’s power in first nine months of 2024. Read more here.
