Wave energy ‘could power thousands of homes’

WAVE energy could power thousands of homes via the national grid by 2020, it was claimed yesterday.

And a new wave energy test site two and a half kilometres off the Irish coast could eventually place the country among the world leaders in the industry.

The first wave energy generator Wavebob is currently at Galway Dock and next week will be deployed to its new 37-hectare site off Spiddal, Co Galway.

The site will initially be open to entrepreneurs and engineers to test prototype ocean energy generators, but experts believe that wave energy could be commercially produced within seven years.

“Wind and wave will be a very powerful source of energy for this country,” said Eoin Sweeny, technology manager with the Marine Institute.

“There is enough harnessable energy out there to equal the entire generating capacity of the national grid. We do see an opportunity for Ireland to be among the technology leaders as the industry matures into the future.”

An initiative of the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland, it is believed that up to 5% of all electricity will be supplied by wave energy by 2020.

“The most energetic waves in the world are located off the west coast of Ireland,” said Marine Institute CEO Dr Peter Heffernan.

David Taylor of Sustainable Energy Ireland added: “Wave energy is a promising new renewable energy resource which could one day make a significant contribution to Ireland’s electricity generation mix, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”