Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2014
36. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made regarding research into the development of ocean wave energy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47350/14]
View answerBoth wave and tidal energy are still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally and, while promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from prototype to full scale commercial viability and relevant measures are now being taken forward in Ireland in the context of the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP).
The OREDP, which was published in February this year, is a significant milestone in the development of our offshore energy potential and sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of this abundant resource. It identifies policy actions and enablers that are key to the development of the offshore renewable energy sector. These include increased Exchequer support for ocean research, development and demonstration.
My Department’s multiannual ocean energy development budget was increased by €16.8 million, covering the period 2013 to 2016, and brought the total cumulative funding to €26.3 million. This supports the development of the test sites in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork, the Integrated Maritime Energy Resource Cluster at Ringaskiddy, and the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
SEAI has to date invested or provided grant aid totalling just over €2.6m to ocean wave energy companies from this fund, helping projects progress up the technology readiness level chain. In line with the approach taken internationally, the emphasis is on industry led projects as the best way of supporting innovation.
Options for additional capital funding in the years 2016 to 2018 are also being discussed. This funding would facilitate innovative projects, like the ESB led Westwave project.
In addition, the OREDP further proposes, subject to State Aid clearance from the European Commission and further Government approval, an initial market support scheme for wave and tidal energy from 2016, limited to 30 MW, to unlock the economic growth and job creation opportunities offered by ocean energy development.
