Ambassador’s Visit Showcases South East’s Offshore Wind Potential and Strong UK Links
The recent visit of Kara Owen, British Ambassador to Ireland, to the South East offered a timely snapshot of a region positioning itself at the centre of Ireland and the UK’s shared offshore wind opportunity — where ports, engineering expertise, and cross-border collaboration are beginning to align.
At Eastgate Engineering, Ambassador Owen met with CEO David Brennan and his team to see first-hand how a South East-based company is operating seamlessly across Ireland and the UK.
Founded in 2007, Eastgate Engineering has grown by delivering complex, high-demand projects while building long-term relationships with clients. From its Waterford base — complemented by offices in Stockton and Warrington — the company now plays an active role in infrastructure and energy projects across both markets.
Discussions during the visit reflected the practical realities of operating across two closely linked economies. In sectors such as offshore wind, engineering, and infrastructure, the relationship between Ireland and the UK is not abstract — it is embedded in day-to-day project delivery, shared standards, and coordinated teams.
Speaking after the visit, David Brennan said,
It was a pleasure to welcome Ambassador Kara Owen to Waterford and to show the work our team is doing here. We’ve built this business step by step over many years, so it’s important to demonstrate what that looks like in practice. The relationship between Ireland and the UK is a big part of that, and we see the value of it every day in the work we do.
Eastgate’s involvement in networks such as Energi Coast and NOF, alongside its role in the Ireland South East Offshore Wind Partnership, further demonstrates how regional firms are positioning themselves within a growing cross-border supply chain.
Ports as the Gateway to Offshore Opportunity
The visit also included a stop at Port of Waterford, where Ambassador Owen met CEO David Sinnott and the management team to discuss the port’s role in supporting both onshore and offshore renewable energy.
Plans for a future berth extension — designed to accommodate offshore wind activity — highlight how the South East is preparing for large-scale deployment along Ireland’s south coast. As offshore wind accelerates across the Irish Sea, the importance of collaboration between Irish and UK ports is becoming increasingly clear.
Ports such as Waterford are expected to play a critical role in turbine assembly, component handling, and long-term operations and maintenance — forming part of a wider, interconnected infrastructure network spanning both countries.
A Shared Offshore Future
Taken together, the visits to Eastgate Engineering and the Port of Waterford illustrate how the South East is building a coherent offshore wind proposition — combining enterprise capability with enabling infrastructure.
From engineering expertise to port development, the region is positioning itself as a key bridge between Ireland and the UK in the transition to renewable energy. As offshore wind moves from planning into delivery, this alignment of capability and collaboration places the South East in a strong position to capture both economic and strategic value.
The Ambassador’s visit underscored a clear message: the offshore opportunity for the South East is not just national — it is inherently international, shaped by strong, practical partnerships across the Irish Sea.
