Project Description

Climate change and the need to replace fossil fuels with alternative and renewable forms of energy has moved to the frontline of government policies and movements for social change around the world. This change is affecting everybody and not least the marine industry which runs mostly on diesel, a fuel that is not only adding to the CO2 problem but has recently experienced considerable price increases which puts many businesses and communities under pressure.

The resulting challenges on Loop Head are shared by many similar coastal communities. Gannetsway Research Group Ltd. (Gannetsway Ltd.) is envisaged as a social enterprise to mobilise Citizen Science to empower those in our communities who want to work together to develop and deliver alternatives to fossil fuels, primarily for boats and other applications in the marine sector. ‘Gannetsway’ refers to the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean.

It is proposed that Gannetsway Ltd. would be initiated through a paid membership model where membership would be open to everybody interested in marine endeavours and renewable energies. Gannetsway Ltd. would aim to support its members’ activities with research, training, procurement, funding, publicity, legal and business support.

To throw in some extra fun, Gannetsway Ltd. would also provide opportunities for people to interact with the marine environment; in a CO2-neutral manner. 

Project Justification & Objectives

The Loop Head Peninsula and the Shannon Estuary are perfectly situated to develop and harvest wind and other renewable energies. The power station at Moneypoint is currently transitioning to facilitate such a transition, not only locally, but also nationally and internationally, particularly through the production of hydrogen. The estuary features a fine marina and related facilities at Kilrush, stop-off points before the Atlantic at Carrigaholt and Kilbaha, a deep-water port at Foynes and has the potential to become a major hydrogen and renewable energy innovation hub. In addition, the wider area has a long and proud maritime heritage with a wealth of accumulated knowledge and innovation already present.

It makes sense to have a group like Gannetsway Ltd based in the area where new technology can be developed and be robustly tested at sea and on the farms. Having a base here would also strengthen the bonds between the communities on the Loop Head Peninsula and along the Shannon Estuary, and onwards along the Gannetsway, and so add to local community resilience as we all face the challenges of Climate Change. Initial objectives are:

• Assess the usefulness of hydrogen electrolysers in improving the efficiency and emissions of internal combustion engines, and so reduce fuel consumption (underway).

• Replace a diesel engine of a 13.6m sailing boat, formerly used for dolphin-watching out of Carrigaholt, with an electric motor where the battery would be charged by the propellor rotating when under sail - in collaboration with Nazare Nautica in Portugal (underway).

• Examine and agree the appropriate governance foundation on which Gannetsway Ltd. should be built, including a development panel and/or steering group, and fine tuning the business model, decision making process and membership options

We would also hope to especially collaborate with other players around the Shannon Estuary, such as the proposed Maritime Training Centre in Kilrush, with the producers of ‘green hydrogen’ promised for Moneypoint, with the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation, and not forgetting other potential players in the shipping and aviation industries present around the Shannon Estuary and beyond.  

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• Loop Head Together

•  Kilrush Maritime Ltd.

• Moneypoint / ESB Group

• Local Enterprise Office

• CLDC

• FLAG 

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!