Ireland neglecting wave energy potential

Ireland is missing out on its significant wave energy potential because of lack of confidence by the European Commission and the Government in funding research, an expert has said.

A £1 million grant for a pilot project on the coastline was withdrawn at the last minute because it did not meet EU operational programme criteria, the Year of the Ocean conference in Dublin Castle was told yesterday. Yet some 17 identified wave energy sites could provide more than half the State's renewable energy targets for 2010, Dr Tony Lewis of the hydraulics and maritime research centre at University College Cork said.

Co Clare offers the most potential, according to a wave atlas prepared by Dr Lewis's centre using geographical information systems. The atlas is based on a study of wave conditions and strengths every 12 hours over the last six years, taking a line from Mine Head to Malin Head along the 20 metre depth contour and using predictions provided by the Meteorological Service.

"The main challenge is limiting extreme wave forces," Dr Lewis explained. "The best sites are not necessarily the areas of biggest wave height." In all, 73 development sites were earmarked, but this was reduced to 17 when other constraints were applied, including distance from existing power lines and designation as Natural Heritage Areas under the EU Habitats Directive. Of the 17 sites 13 are in Clare, and the total energy produced could be as high as 396 megawatts. The Government's target for providing renewable energy by 2010 is 700 megawatts - about 12 per cent of total needs.

The economics of a wave energy system will depend on the level of input and the sale price for electricity, Dr Lewis said. At prime sites, a one-megawatt wave energy device would be good value at a price of £2 million, he said. However, funding for a pilot project must be earmarked if Ireland is to become a market leader.

Denmark, the European wind energy pioneer, has put £3 million into developing a wave energy programme. A 500 kw plant on the Azores has just been completed, and the EU is also supporting a plant on Islay in Scotland, which involves Queen's University Belfast.

The Government has not given it sufficient priority, according to Dr Lewis, even though the State could be importing 90 per cent of its energy requirements by 2006 if there are no significant gas finds to replace the Marathon field.