David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department’s position on using wave energy as a means of contributing to Ireland’s energy resource mix; the advancements in wave energy that have been considered by his Department to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1377/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The development of offshore renewable energy in our marine area will contribute towards the achievement of our 2030 and 2050 climate goals, while also having the potential to establish a valuable export market with tangible benefits to local marine users, neighboring coastal communities and Irish companies.  The Programme for government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment, while also supporting ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power.

Advancements in wave energy are monitored by the SEAI at a National, European, and Global level. Currently, no wave energy technology is sufficiently developed to be successfully/commercially integrated into Ireland’s energy generation mix. Wave energy is supported at national policy level through the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), which has provided the basis for my Department supporting technology advancement in wave energy at device, sub-system component and auxiliary service level.