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SUSTAINABLE CORK PROGRAMME
Transport, Energy & Maritime The South-West region has a wealth of natural resources, which contribute to the social and economic fabric of the region. The blue economy is a growth sector, reaching into a range of areas including enterprise and entrepreneurship, tourism, technology, renewable energy, and sustainability, among others. As one of the largest ports in the country, Port of Cork plays a vital role in securing the supply chain and flow of goods in and out of the country. A new €86 million Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy is in final stages of completion and has the potential to grow cargo volumes and further develop Ringaskiddy as a modern logistics hub. The Port also has Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth at Cobh, with capacity to increase the number of cruise liners over the coming years.
Prior to the pandemic passenger numbers at Cork Airport were thriving with new routes and service expansions planned for 2020. The numbers are now down by over 95%. Numbers using public transport in Cork have grown at a faster pace than anywhere else in the country. Figures from the National Transport Authority show bus and rail commuter journeys in Cork were up 14% in 2018 to almost 15.3 million21. Cork accounts for approximately 13% of Ireland’s energy use and supplies approximately 25% of Ireland’s national energy requirements. Cork has significant natural resources which provide great energy potential that can be further enhanced by policy instruments. Options include natural gas, oil, hydroelectricity, onshore and offshore wind, ocean energy, geothermal, anaerobic digestion and solar energy. Further development of renewable energy must be the cornerstone of the low carbon transition.
Impact of Covid-19 The Transportation and Storage sector sees about 35% of those previously working in this sector estimated to be on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) or Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), down from 41% prior to Phase 1.
