Over the next five years, the port will spend more than £300 million (€355 million), of which nearly a third will go towards building a new deep-water berth that will enable it to grow its renewables business.

The £90 million spent on the new quay is the largest capital investment project the port has ever undertaken, and it is expected to be completed.

The Irish government is dedicated to accelerating offshore wind development and generating at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030.


As part of a larger UK goal of 50GW, the Stormont Executive has set a goal of 1GW. According to Belfast Harbour, 30 offshore wind farms, many of which are in the Irish Sea, are planned within 200 km of Belfast.

"Belfast Harbour's £90m investment in a new deep-water quay will support the deployment of the next generation of floating offshore wind farms and allow us to meet the growing needs of the offshore renewable energy developers," said Dr. Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour.

"As part of an all-island single electricity market the investment stands to benefit everyone on the island." Additionally, Belfast Port hopes that its capital expenditures will draw more cruise ships.

The city's economy now heavily depends on the massive ships that transport hundreds of thousands of passengers annually.