IRELAND’S 1 MILLION SQUARE KILOMETRES OF POTENTIAL OCEAN ENERGY
The recent launch of its Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) puts the Republic of Ireland in the forefront of sustainable development of off-shore renewable energy resources.
Speaking at the Marine Renewables Industry Association Forum in Dublin, Ireland's Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte said, “Ireland has a landmass of around 90,000 square kilometres, but a sea area of around 10 times that size. Our position at the Atlantic edge of the EU gives us an almost unparalleled offshore energy resource, with suitable conditions available for the development of the full range of current offshore renewable energy technologies.”
Ireland has been a member of Ocean Energy Systems (OES), the international organisation for developing and exploiting ocean energy resources, since 2005. Commenting on the launch OES contracting representative for Ireland, Eoin Sweeney said, "This is a significant step forward for Ireland not only terms of renewable, carbon-free energy but also for the impact this will have on the creation of new jobs".
The Irish Government is committed to safeguarding the public interest by protecting the country's valuable marine environment. It will ensure that all development of ocean energy in Irish waters will be fully in line with Ireland’s EU and international environmental obligations and best practice. A key mechanism for the implementation of the new plan will be the coordination of Irish government action to support the offshore renewable energy sector in its quest for commercial viability. A budget of €26m has been agreed for the period 2013-2016 to further develop test facilities and €19m for research and development of marine renewable energy. A refit tariff of €260/MWh has also been allocated for the first 30MW of electricity produced using ocean energy technology. This 30MW will be competed for by ocean energy interests in a public competition and focused on pre-commercial trials and experiments. A review will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate form and level of support for projects beyond 30MW.