Energy

Exclusive: Shell withdraws from major Irish offshore wind projects

The unexpected move by the multinational energy behemoth could damage Ireland’s ambition to achieve an 80 per cent cut in energy emissions

Gordon Shearer of Shell, and Val Cummins and Hugh Kelly of Simply Blue Group pictured at Loop Head lighthouse last November, at the official announcement of the two firms’ partnership on the Western Star floating wind project. Shell has now withdrawn from the plan. Picture: Diane Cusack

Shell, the multinational energy giant, is pulling out of the Irish renewables sector in a potentially significant blow to the country’s climate ambitions, the Business Post can reveal.

The move represents a u-turn by the company, which just last November agreed a deal to acquire a 51 per cent share in the Western Star Floating wind project off the coast of Clare from Simply Blue Group, a Cork-based energy company.

Shell previously said the project ...