Offshore Wind Development - Developing Bankable Offshore Wind Projects

Ireland’s offshore wind sector is entering a critical phase. As projects move from planning into delivery, the demand for professionals who can develop investment-ready offshore wind projects is growing rapidly.

This 12-week online micro-credential, delivered by University College Cork, provides participants with a practical understanding of the complete offshore wind development lifecycle. The programme focuses on the commercial, technical and strategic decisions that determine whether a project can successfully progress to Final Investment Decision (FID) and ultimately reach construction.

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

Evaluate offshore wind development opportunities through effective project scoping, feasibility assessment and site selection.
Assess the technical, environmental and commercial factors that influence project viability and bankability.
Understand the role of wind resource assessment, seabed characterisation and survey planning in reducing project risk and supporting investment decisions.
Analyse the financing structures, policy mechanisms and development milestones that underpin successful offshore wind projects.
Apply industry best practice in project governance, leadership and stakeholder engagement across the offshore wind development lifecycle.
Identify, assess and mitigate risks using established risk management methodologies, including the development of project risk registers and contingency plans.
Understand the commercial and organisational requirements associated with progressing projects towards Final Investment Decision (FID).
Evaluate the transition from development to construction, including supply chain readiness, logistics considerations and knowledge transfer processes.
Assess the Irish offshore wind regulatory landscape while drawing lessons from international offshore wind markets and projects.
Develop a comprehensive offshore wind project development plan incorporating feasibility assessments, stakeholder engagement strategies, consenting considerations and investment readiness requirements.

This programme has been designed to accommodate professionals working full-time.

Duration: 12 weeks

Delivery Mode: Online, part-time

Schedule: Friday afternoons, 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Learning Platform: Microsoft Teams and UCC Canvas

Key features include:

Live online lectures delivered by industry experts and UCC academics
Recorded sessions available for flexible study
Access to international offshore wind case studies
Practical project-based assessment
Learning that can be completed alongside full-time employment

Rather than a traditional examination, participants will develop a project plan for a real-world Irish offshore wind site, covering feasibility, stakeholder engagement, consenting considerations, risk management and investment readiness.

Skillnet Course Fee: €500

Full Course Fee: €900

Eligibility for the subsidised Skillnet Course Fee is based on the following factors:

Trainees

Key requirements regarding the trainee:

Trainees must be based in the Republic of Ireland to be eligible.
Trainees must be employed within private enterprise/self-employed.
This program is designed for professionals working in a related sector, seeking to upskill and transition into the offshore wind industry.

Companies

Key requirements regarding the eligibility of businesses to participate in funding:

Companies must be from private enterprise based in the Republic of Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisations that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
Commercial semi-state companies are eligible providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse.
Sole traders are eligible as Companies.

If you are not eligible for funding the course fee is €900. Where a trainee enrols on a course and pays the full fee, no refund will be provided if eligibility is determined later.

If you have further queries on funding, please contact training@skillnetoffshorewindacademy.ie including the module you wish to apply for.

Applicants should normally possess:

An NFQ Level 8 Honours Degree

and

Relevant experience in engineering, project management, commercial management, infrastructure delivery or the maritime sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification but possess significant relevant professional experience may be considered through UCC’s Recognition of Prior Learning process.

Language Requirements

All teaching and assessment are delivered in English.

This programme is designed for experienced professionals seeking to develop a deeper understanding of offshore wind project development and investment readiness. Suitable applicants include:

Offshore Wind Developers and Project Teams

Professionals involved in project development, commercial management, project management or package management who are responsible for progressing projects towards construction and investment approval.

Supply Chain Companies and Consultancies

Professionals seeking a better understanding of developer requirements, procurement processes and project development timelines within offshore wind.

Government, Regulatory and Local Authority Professionals

Those involved in policy development, consenting, planning, marine management and energy market design.

Engineering Consultancies and Tier 1 Contractors

Professionals who want a stronger understanding of the strategic development decisions that shape major offshore wind projects.

Professionals Transitioning into Offshore Wind

Experienced professionals from related sectors looking to build the knowledge and credibility required to move into senior roles within offshore wind development.

Career Pathways:

This micro-credential equips learners with the specialist knowledge required to develop and deliver offshore wind projects, providing a natural progression for those who have completed our Introduction to Project Management for Offshore Projects course and wish to deepen their expertise in the strategic, commercial and technical aspects of offshore wind development. Learners gain an understanding of the full offshore wind development lifecycle including site selection, resource assessment, stakeholder engagement, financing, risk management, governance and construction readiness.

Graduates will be well-positioned for roles such as Offshore Wind Project Developer, Project Development Manager, Development Project Manager, Consenting and Stakeholder Manager, Offshore Wind Consultant, or other positions involved in progressing offshore wind projects from early-stage development through to investment decision and construction. The course is particularly relevant for professionals seeking to move beyond project delivery fundamentals and develop expertise in the commercial, technical, regulatory and financial aspects of offshore wind development. Completion of the course will enable learners to demonstrate knowledge and expertise which can readily be transferred into live situations.

Progression:

This Level 9 micro-credential provides learners with an opportunity to build specialist expertise in one of the most critical phases of offshore wind project delivery. It can be undertaken as a standalone course or used alongside other offshore wind micro-credentials to broaden technical and commercial knowledge across the sector.

For learners who have completed the Introduction to Project Management for Offshore Projects micro-credential, this course represents a logical progression into the complexities of offshore wind development, investment readiness and project bankability.