ESB’s Ocean Energy Project Westwave Wins Grant from SEAI (Ireland)

ESB’s ocean energy project, Westwave, has been awarded a grant of €238,000 by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The grant is awarded under SEAI’s Ocean Energy Prototype Research and Development Programme which focuses on the development and deployment of ocean energy devices and systems, with an emphasis on industry-led projects. The grant is payable on attainment of specific milestones during the pre-consenting phase of the project during 2011/2012 including grid feasibility studies, foreshore licence application, wave measurement buoy deployment, supply-chain analysis, initial environmental survey work, technology assessment, project design, environmental scoping report, grid connection application and foreshore lease application.

Award of this substantial grant to Westwave is a very positive step in the development of Ireland’s fledgling wave energy industry and is a very strong vote of confidence in ESB’s Ocean Energy strategy.

Speaking at the announcement of the grant, ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said: “I am delighted that SEAI has selected ESB’s Westwave project for funding under their Prototype Research and Development Programme. ESB’s sustainability strategy focuses on renewable energies and this welcome support will help our Westwave project put Ireland at the forefront of innovative technologies and job creation in the green energy sector. The level of commitment by SEAI is an indicator of the true determination to develop the potential of Ireland’s indigenous energy resources”.

Brian Motherway, Chief Operations Officer at SEAI said; “Ocean energy presents significant opportunities for Ireland, given that we have the best resource in Europe. However, we need the technologies to harness it and we need to seed the early stage activities that will build an industry cluster in this country”.

“SEAI’s ocean energy prototype fund provides the much needed support for industry to research and develop these new technologies and systems that will have the potential to compete in a global market. We must find ways to capture ocean energy cheaply if we are to improve Ireland’s energy security and switch to clean carbon free energy sources. Any Irish company leading the way in this work is helping Ireland to build a new manufacturing and service sector, and assisting in creating a more sustainable energy future,” he added.

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Source: ESB, August 03, 2011