IRELAND’S OCEAN energy sector has sought a meeting with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to convey “serious concern” about the research body’s recent energy review.
The review, published last month, advised against market supports for offshore wind, wave or tidal power, while recommending that supports for onshore wind be maintained.
The report by Prof John FitzGerald described as “premature” such incentives for offshore renewables, and recommended State funds be diverted to further research in these areas.
The report also warned that development of the Corrib natural gas field was “vital” for future security of energy supplies and should be brought to production as quickly as possible.
Marine Renewables Industry Association chairman Peter Coyle has sought a meeting with the ESRI, as he said Prof FitzGerald’s paper failed to grasp critical aspects of ocean energy in Ireland.
Prof FitzGerald yesterday said he had nothing to add to the report.
Mr Coyle said Ireland has the most energy-intensive wave resource in the world, with a full-scale test site off north Mayo and the world’s largest single ocean energy research community at University College Cork.
“Ocean energy is the first significant indigenous economic opportunity since the food industry developed,” said Mr Coyle, who spent 35 years with the IDA and latterly Enterprise Ireland.
He said the ESRI review failed to take account of this potential economic impact, with a recent all-Ireland report forecasting 50,000 extra jobs and “many billions” in extra income by 2030.