The Institute liaises closely with Sustainable Energy Ireland, state agencies and international research groups as well as the renewable energy sector in the development of policy and the targeting of strategic investment. With the establishment of the Ocean Energy Development Unit in SEI in 2008, implementation of the National Ocean Energy Strategy is on target.
A consultation exercise in 2002/2003 resulted in a Public Consultation Document (pdf, 1581k) on the options for Development of Wave Energy in Ireland. The Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland subsequently developed a strategy for Ocean Energy to 2020 which was endorsed by the Department of Marine Communications and Natural Resources.
The objectives of the National Strategy for Ocean Energy (2003) (pdf, 718k) are to:
- Support the introduction of Ocean Energy to the Renewables ‘portfolio’ in Ireland.
- Develop an Irish Ocean Energy industry sector.
Ireland is currently in Phase 2 of OE strategy implementation. The strategy is being implemented in three phases:
- Development - 2005-2007
- Pre-commercial (1) - 2007-2010
- Pre-commercial (2) - 2010-2015
- Commercial – 2010-2015
The current national targets for generation of electricity from Ocean Energy sources are 75MW by 2012 and 500MW by 2020. These were published in 2007 in the Government White Paper for Energy.
In 2008, the DCENR committed €26m over a 3 year period for
- 2m for infrastructure at HMRC(UCC)
- 2m for grid connected full scale ocean test facilities.
- 2m for prototype development
- 0.5m for Ocean Energy Development Unit to be based in SEI
Reports on Ocean Energy Strategy
Options for Development of Wave Energy in Ireland (pdf, 1581k) - public consultation document on Wave Energy
Ocean Energy in Ireland: An Ocean Strategy (pdf, 718k) - National Strategy for Ocean in Ireland
Analysis of the Potential Economic Benefits of Developing Ocean Energy In Ireland (pdf, 498k) - Report by ESRI and Peter Bacon on the economic benefits of Ocean Energy. Appendices to Report (pdf, 167k)
White Paper for Energy - National policy for Energy 2020