Renewable energy test centre to open in Cork

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to officially open Ireland’s largest renewable energy test and research facility in Cork next weekend as part of the country’s first national maritime festival.

Mr Kenny will cut the ribbon on University College Cork’s hi-tech €15m Beaufort Building, next to the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, on Saturday as SeaFest 2015 kicks off.

The critical piece of national infrastructure represents a major extension of UCC’s Environmental Research Institute and will be the university’s flagship presence on the Irish Maritime and Energy Research Cluster campus at Ringaskiddy.