Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

This is potentially an exciting area for Ireland. An allocation of €7 million has been set aside for ocean energy. A significant chunk of capital funding will be invested in advancing the wave energy prototype currently floating off the west coast. That is valuable and important work. How much capital investment does the Minister need to support tidal flow energy? My office has been contacted by one person who has done significant work on electricity generation from consistent tidal flow in an estuary. He knows a great deal about this because he provides statistics to the CSO regarding tidal flows but he has had a frustrating time trying to secure support from SEI for his work. Does the Minister have a preference for tidal over wave energy? The advantage of tidal energy is its predictability and consistency. Is one technology ahead of the other?

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