Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has in regard to the promotion of tide-driven hydroelectric generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Sustainable Energy Ireland, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy, including research, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The agency's renewable energy research, development and demonstration programme aims to stimulate the deployment of renewable energy technologies which are close to market and to assess and develop potentially successful technologies. The programme provides support for renewable energy product renewable energy research, development and demonstration, market demonstration of new technologies, resource studies and public good research activities.

The term "ocean energy" is generally used to refer to energy from wave energy and tidal energy resources. When considering tidal energy, two categories of tide driven hydro power are available. The first type of device is referred to as a tidal barrage, whereby the tidal water is stored behind a dam and released as the tide height reduces similar to a hydroelectric power plant. This form of tidal power requires large areas of enclosed water with large tidal variations. Tidal flows into most Irish estuaries or bays do not yield particularly high tidal variations and this form of renewable energy is considered to be an expensive form of renewable energy for Ireland. The second type of tidal power device is referred to as a marine current turbine whereby an underwater device is placed in the path of the tidal current to generate power. This type of technology is currently under development and commercial devices are not yet available.

Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Marine Institute commissioned a resource study covering the whole island to investigate Ireland's potential to use this technology. The results of the study indicated a considerable tidal energy resource based on the estimated performance of the best technology currently under development. To maximise the use of tidal power, it is important to ensure it can be integrated effectively with the electricity network. Sustainable Energy Ireland is funding a project with UCD and Queens University Belfast to examine the impact the distribution and phasing of tidal power will have on this country's electricity network. Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Marine Institute are working in co-operation to develop ocean energy technology in Ireland. Capital grant funding is available from the agencies for technology developers of wave and tidal energy devices. Funding has been provided to third level research facilities in Ireland.