Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Donegal County Council, under the auspices of Donegal’s Blue Economy Working Group, is delighted to host the Powering Progress & Opportunities in Offshore Renewables seminar tomorrow, Wednesday, 24th September, from 8.30am to 11.00am at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny.
This event is designed for businesses in engineering, marine, technology, renewable energy and related sectors who want to:
A networking breakfast will be served from 8.30am, followed by an engaging programme of speakers and panel discussions.
👉 Register here to secure your place:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/powering-progress-opportunities-in-offshore-renewables-tickets-1620259823749?aff=oddtdtcreator
👇Who you will hear from:
Liam Curran (Enterprise Ireland) is a technologist working across the Marine and Offshore Wind sectors, supporting Irish SMEs to strengthen their innovative capabilities and build global opportunities. As Joint Lead for Offshore Wind at Enterprise Ireland, Liam co-manages the Gael Offshore Network (Ireland’s supply chain platform for global offshore wind) and coordinates the Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN), fostering collaboration between businesses and researchers to drive Ireland’s expertise in these critical sectors.
Martin Mc Guinness (MMG Ocean): MMG Ocean is a marine and manufacturing company strategically based in Killybegs, County Donegal—Ireland’s premier fishing port. The company partners with Ocean Kinetics (Scotland) to deliver innovative and sustainable engineering solutions, with expertise in gangway systems, welding, and fabrication services tailored to the marine and energy sectors.
Under the leadership of Martin McGuinness, MMG Ocean combines local knowledge with international collaboration to provide high-quality, reliable, and future-focused solutions that support both traditional and emerging industries.
Charlotte O’Kelly is an experienced business development and project management professional with a strong background in delivering a wide range of metocean projects across the marine sector. Her expertise spans Offshore Wind, Tidal and Wave Energy, Coastal Engineering, Ports and Harbours, Coastal Water Quality, and Research & Academia.
Charlotte has particular strengths in Metocean Project Management, Marine Earth Observation project development, metocean surveys, business development, and international sales. Charlotte is highly adaptable, with proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and is recognized for her leadership across teams, disciplines, and geographic regions. With excellent communication skills, she is adept at engaging stakeholders and presenting complex technical information with clarity and impact.
Shane Heverin is an experienced Master Mariner with over 20 years in the maritime industry and a proven track record across offshore energy, marine operations, and tanker management. He is skilled in Dynamic Positioning (DP), Marine Operations, Offshore Energy (Oil & Gas, Renewables, and Decommissioning), and has a strong foundation in safety and operational excellence. Shane holds a B.Sc. in Nautical Science from NMCI and has logged more than 10,000 hours of DP time, developing advanced ship-handling expertise with both conventional and azimuth propulsion systems.
Shane’s career includes involvement in a wide range of operational deployments, such as Marine Warranty Surveys (MWS), DP Trials, and Suitability Surveys, as well as hands-on experience in new build, dry-docking, and yard projects in Europe and Asia. Shane has also played key roles in offshore projects spanning Heavy Lift, Cable Installation, ROV, and Diving operations, bringing comprehensive knowledge and leadership to complex and high-profile assignments worldwide.
Derek Robertson is the business lead at Subsea Micropiles, which is pioneering the use of 70 years of land-based micropiling expertise in offshore environments to deliver stronger, lower-cost, and more sustainable foundations and anchors. A former U.S. Navy Officer with extensive leadership experience in the energy and marine sectors, Derek previously led micropiles initiatives at Lockheed Martin. He holds a B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, an MBA from Trinity College Dublin, and an Advanced Project Management (SCPM) certificate from Stanford University.
Karol Harkin: With over 23 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, Karol’s interests lay in advancing sustainable technologies and operations. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Skylark Control, an innovative operational control platform for the renewable energy industry, and the Founder of Hannah MEP, a specialist in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. His career reflects a commitment to driving efficiency, reliability, and innovation across energy systems worldwide. From the Isle of Doagh, outside Clonmany, Karol has a passion for all things Donegal
We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow and shaping the future of offshore renewables together.
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