Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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560. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of research into wave energy harnessing his Department has conducted, given the abundance of wild coastline; his plans to grow renewable energy supply, through utilising wave and sea currents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38967/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Globally, wave energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage, and action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from prototype to full scale commerciality. In Ireland, this action is being taken in the context of the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) 2014, which sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore renewable energy resource.

The Atlantic seaboard has been identified as having the highest potential for the development of ocean energy in the EU and the Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters.

Much progress has been achieved since the publication of the OREDP, including increased Exchequer support for research, development and demonstration for the ocean sector in recent years. My Department’s multi-annual ocean energy development budget covering the period 2013 - 2016, was increased by €16.8 million, to bring total cumulative funding to €26.3 million. This funding supports the development of test sites in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork, and supports marine research activities at the Integrated Maritime Energy Resource Cluster at Ringaskiddy.

The University College Cork Beaufort Building in Ringaskiddy which was opened in June of this year, is a world-class piece of infrastructure for renewable energy and maritime research and includes state-of-the-art wave simulators, test tanks, workshops and offices.

My Department’s budget also supports the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Authority supports and grant-aids ocean wave energy companies from this fund, with a view to assisting projects progress up the technology readiness level chain.

Options for additional capital funding for the years 2016 to 2018 are also being discussed cross Departmentally. This funding would facilitate innovative projects, like the ESB led Westwave project.

In addition, the OREDP further proposes an initial market support scheme for wave and tidal energy from 2016.

Implementation of the OREDP continues under the Offshore Renewable Energy Steering Group, with the aim of unlocking of the economic growth and job creation opportunities offered by ocean energy development.