Vol. 437 No. 1
13 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to utilise wave energy around our coast for generating electricity; and if he will make a statement on the practicality of such an undertaking in view of the technology that now exists.
We have recently announced an initiative to secure an additional 75 MWs of electricity generating capacity from alternative sources before 1997. This is expected to further encourage the development of renewables such as wind, hydro and biomass which are close to being commercial. Wave energy is at an early stage of development and it would not be practical to include it in this initiative at this stage.
I am, however, aware of the research into wave energy which is being undertaken in Ireland particularly at University College Cork. Our Department will continue to closely monitor developments in this area.
