Proposed wave farm off Clare coast sees new collaboration
A PROPOSED wave farm off the Clare coast sees the project ‘move forward’, with a new collaboration between two major Irish companies.
Renewable energy developer, Simply Blue Group and energy company ESB, have announced that they have launched a 50:50 joint venture to deliver a 5MW wave farm.
The project, known as Saoirse, is a wave energy demonstration project which aims to prove the viability of wave energy in Irish seas.
“We have been developing Saoirse as a concept for several years and to enter this joint venture with ESB, means we can take this project forward at the pace it requires,” said Sam Roch Perks, Group CEO of Simply Blue Group.
Subject to the necessary consents and a grid connection, the project is on target to be completed by the mid to late 2020s.
“We have worked very closely with the wave energy sector to find the correct technology to build this exciting project – which will help Ireland recognise its potential in wave power,” added Mr Roch Matthews.
Saoirse is a pre-commercial project that will demonstrate wave energy and will stay in the water off the Clare coast for up to 15 years.
Wave energy projects complement wind energy and will help to deliver a more predictable and stable portfolio of renewables. It is estimated that Ireland has up to 18GW of wave power.
The project has been pre-selected for funding by the European Commission’s Innovation Fund programme in its third call for projects.