Catherine Connolly
Question:1038. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the ESB Westwave project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35813/18]
View answerFriday, 7 September 2018
Questions (1038, 1039)
Catherine Connolly
Question:1039. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding received by the ESB Westwave project to date; the way in which this funding has been used to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35814/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1038 and 1039 together.
The WestWave project is a collaborative ocean energy project led by the ESB with the objective of accelerating the development of the ocean energy sector in Ireland. ESB is working with a number of wave energy project developers to realise this 5MW project.
Since 2003, the project has received exchequer funding of almost €780,000 including funding provided since 2009 from the Prototype Development Fund. This main focus of the Prototype Development Fund is to stimulate the development and deployment of ocean energy devices and systems. This funding has supported the overall objective of the WestWave project to demonstrate that wave energy projects can be designed, consented, developed and operated in Ireland, ultimately producing electricity to the grid. The WestWave project has established a site for a generic pre-commercial wave project off the west coast of Ireland, in Killard, Co. Clare.
Wave and tidal energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally, and while promising experimental devices have been developed, much more research is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Consequently it has not yet been possible to confirm a date for a final investment decision or operation. I am advised that the earliest date for operation based on the current view of technology is 2025. ESB is investigating various sources of funding such as those provided by the European Investment Bank.
It is expected that wave energy technologies will play a part in our energy transition from the 2030’s. The WestWave project is a highly innovative project and it is imperative that the technical solution chosen would be appropriate for the energetic wave conditions on the west coast of Ireland. The project represents a necessary step towards the development of, potentially, the world’s first commercial wave energy array.