Vol. 548 No. 4
88 Mr. Daly asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will re-examine the proposal to build a wave powered generation facility at Tullig, near Kilkee, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5146/02]
In 1998 Wavegen (Ireland) Limited was successful in the wave-to-energy category of the third alternative energy requirement competition, AER III. The applicant proposed to build a 2 megawatt wave energy to electricity generating plant at Tullig, near Kilkee, County Clare.
European Regional Development Fund grant-aid was offered towards the costs of building suitable infrastructural projects under AER III. European Regional Development Fund grant aid generally was confined to infrastructural projects in proven technologies only. The relevant European Regional Development Fund monitoring committee concluded the proposed project in the wave-to-energy category was more suitable for consideration under a research and development programme and the offer of grant aid was withdrawn. In the circumstances the company decided not to proceed with the project.
There is clearly more work required on the research and development aspects of the wave-to-energy technology. I have secured €16.25 million under the NDP to fund a programme to assist in the development of renewable energy technologies generally up to 2006. This is a major step forward providing a framework programme to fund the research and developmental works necessary to take forward the more innovative and high risk activities in this area. Recently the Irish Energy Centre, which is co-funded by my Department, put out to consultation a document on a strategy programme for renewable energy research, development and demonstration.
The consultation document highlights specific priorities in wave and tidal energy technologies. This would include research to identify the most suitable locations for wave and tidal energy devices, development of cheaper sub-sea cabling and installation methods and the demonstration of wave energy projects. The closing date for submissions to the consultation process is 31 March. It is envisaged that the research and development programme will be launched later this year.
