The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU ) of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI ) has deployed a weather buoy off the coast of north Mayo to monitor wave and weather conditions. The buoy, which is 10km off Annagh Head on the Atlantic coast of the Mullet Peninsula, was launched last week and will transmit information collected via satellite link to the OEDU at the civic offices in Belmullet. This information is the first of its kind available in Ireland and will facilitate the development of a full scale wave energy test site off the coast of north Mayo.
SEI’s OEDU is working to accelerate the deployment of ocean energy in Ireland and as more full scale wave energy devices are designed and developed there is an increasing demand for a suitable open ocean test facility.
As part of this exciting development SEI will host an information day for interested members of the local community at the civic offices in Belmullet on Thursday March 25. There will be an exhibition area with full details of the proposed wave energy test site and an opportunity to meet with members of SEI’s OEDU team to explain the plans and opportunities for Belmullet and Ireland as a whole.
Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive of SEI, Professor Owen Lewis said: “Ireland has the potential to become a world leader in supplying wave energy technologies internationally and in generating electricity from our abundant waves. The establishment of a wave energy test site is a vital step to reach this ambition. We must harness the potential of ocean energy off our extended coastline, not only to reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”
Professor Lewis continued: “With its open Atlantic wave climate and with deep water close to the coast, north Mayo is an ideal location for the harnessing of our wave energy potential. Investment in this area will be a key driver in future economic growth and job creation. There is a real opportunity for north Mayo to lead the way in this area internationally, and the OEDU team is looking forward to bringing details of this project to the local community at our information day and exhibition at the end of March.”
