Offshore Wind 2020 Conference

Matt Collins is the Assistant Secretary leading the Energy Division in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. With the aim of ensuring a secure, competitive and sustainable energy system, he is responsible for policy across energy regulation, renewable energy, energy decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and energy security. Matt joined the Department in 2016 as Assistant Secretary with responsibility for the natural resources and waste policy functions. Previously, Matt has worked in the Departments of Health, Environment and Local Government, Foreign Affairs, Finance, as well as in the Communications Division of the Department.

David Connolly is CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association, which is the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to develop wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future. As CEO David oversees a team of 16 people working to promote and inform people about wind energy across energy policy, media, business and government. IWEA also organises a range of research, training courses and events, including two of Ireland’s largest annual energy conferences. David previously worked as an Associate Professor with Aalborg University in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he taught and researched for six years in the areas of renewable electricity integration, district heating, electric vehicles, and the production of electrofuels/synthetic fuels for transport.

Jim Gannon has been a member of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since October 2019. His responsibilities include the electricity wholesale market, electricity networks and operations. This includes the Single Electricity Market, generation; connections and interconnection; system services and flexibility; and security of supply. Prior to his appointment to the Commission, Jim served as the CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and before that role worked in the private sector within the energy industry.

Barry Kilcline is Director of Development Ireland at SSE Renewables, part of the FTSE-listed SSE plc and the leading developer, owner and operator of renewable energy across Ireland and the UK. Barry has responsibility for development and construction of SSE Renewables’ 1GW-plus pipeline of offshore and onshore wind energy projects around the island of Ireland, including Arklow Bank Wind Park in the Irish Sea. Barry has worked on a number of large capital renewable energy projects for SSE Renewables, the most recent of which is Galway Wind Park, Ireland’s largest windfarm. A graduate of electronic engineering from Trinity College with an MSc from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Barry came to SSE Renewables with significant experience after working with ESB International both in Ireland and internationally.

William Walsh is Chief Executive Officer in SEAI, having previously held the position of both Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer. William joined SEAI 2013. Prior to joining SEAI he worked for IFI where he held a number of roles including Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Director. Prior to that he held senior management positions in the private sector. William is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Dublin City University and a Graduate Diploma in Strategy, Innovation and Change from UCD.

Michael Mahon joined EirGrid Group as Chief Infrastructure Officer in August 2019. In his role he is responsible for planning and consents for grid infrastructure across the island, including public consultation processes and landowner engagement. He previously held the position of General Manager, ESB Smart Energy Services. Michael has 20 years’ experience with ESB, with significant leadership experience in major project delivery. He is also a Chartered Engineer with Post Graduate Diplomas in both Project Management and Management.

Fiona Devoy McAuliffe is a senior post-doctoral researcher based in University College Cork. Her primary expertise is the financial assessment and optimisation of Offshore Renewable Energy projects. In particular, developing decision-support tools to simulate the performance and logistics of installing, operating and decommissioning different technologies. She has contributed to various European and Irish projects including MARINA platform; LEANWIND; OPERA; MARINERG-i and EirWind.

John Dallas is a Partner in the Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources Group at A&L Goodbody. He advises a range of clients on the development, financing and construction of large scale energy projects and on acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals in the sector. John is heavily active in the Irish offshore wind sector. Since 2018 he has been advising the developer of an Irish offshore windfarm on its development and consenting strategy and has also advised/is advising on a number of M&A transactions in the offshore wind sector.

Paul Cooley is Director of Capital Projects at SSE Renewables and is responsible for delivering the company’s pipeline of new renewable energy developments including over 7GW of offshore wind energy in development in the UK and Ireland. Prior to joining SSE, Paul was Northern Ireland General Manager at Airtricity and previously held various senior management positions at DuPont and the Quinn Group.

Conor is Principal of the Marine Planning Policy and Development Section in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). He is leading the development of Ireland’s National Marine Planning Framework and is also responsible for regulation of the State’s Foreshore for all non-fisheries related development. He has worked in a number of positions within DHLG and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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