Wave energy research project proposed for Achill

Wave energy research project proposed for Achill


Anton McNulty

A PROPOSED wave energy project is expected to be located on the south side of Achill Island if a foreshore exploration licence is granted.
Last week ESB International applied to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for a foreshore exploration licence for the Achill area for developing a five megawatt wave energy project to conduct marine surveys and resource measurements. While the location is not specified it is believed that it will be located in an area between Dooega Head and Achill Beg.
The site in Achill was identified along with a site at Killard Point, Co Clare following a detailed selection process based on mapping studies, site testing, environmental considerations and stakeholder feedback. The project which is called the WestWave project is a collaborative initiative led by ESBI in conjunction with a number of wave energy technology partners which will generate an initial 5MW of electricity from wave energy by 2015.
The proposed works will provide baseline data on wave and current resources at each site; determine design and installation methodologies and inform route selection for cables associated with a wave energy project.
These activities will take place over a 12 to 24 month period following receipt of the foreshore exploration licences. The findings will be used to identify the best location for the WestWave project. Currently the sites under consideration are; Killard point, the Achill Area and the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) in Belmullet.
Achill councillor MicheΡl McNamara told The Mayo News that councillors and Council officials have had meetings with ESBI and stressed that if the foreshore licence is granted, this project will be ‘non commercial’ and is ‘very much at the preliminary stage’. He said the three locations were competing for the one site but added the research in renewable energy was welcome.
“This is a pre-commercial research project and even if it gets the licence, it won’t be commercial at this stage. As far as I am aware there are very few places where wave energy is commercially viable but hopefully there will be advances in the future. It could have advantages for a community like Achill in the future with jobs involved and greater employment opportunities,” he said.
He encouraged people to look at the application which is available to view in Westport and Achill Garda Stations.