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ESBI and Vattenfall Agreement on ocean wave energy
Press release
ESBI and Vattenfall Agreement on ocean wave energy
ESB International (ESBI) has entered an agreement with one of Europe's largest electricity utilities, Vattenfall, to develop ocean wave energy projects off the west coast of Ireland.
ESB's international wing and Vattenfall's Irish operation, Tonn Energy, are to work together towards achieving the world's first full-scale wave energy farm generating up to 10MW of electricity in Irish waters.
The agreement between the two companies involves collecting extensive survey data and evaluating local wave resources, seabed conditions and environmental sensitivities on particular sites along the west coast. The project will see Irish ocean energy companies working with Government bodies to put in place the Foreshore consenting and transmission grid access that is necessary for commercial ocean energy off the west coast.
The project will assist in reaching the Government's target of generating 500 megawatts of electricity from ocean energy by 2020.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan said that Ireland can realistically be a world leader in emerging green technologies.
"One of our best natural assets is our unparalleled ocean resource. The Government's Ocean Energy Strategy is to position Ireland at the forefront of commercial wave energy development. A lot of work remains to be done, but this agreement between companies like ESB and Vattenfall is an important step towards realising the full potential of our wave resources", the Minister added.
ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said ESB's strategy to 2020 involves focusing on sustainable and renewable energies.
"This agreement between ESB and Vattenfall helps to put Ireland at the forefront of innovative technologies and job creation in the green energy sector. This collaboration is an indicator of the determination to develop the potential of an indigenous energy resource such as this. There is a long way to go, but nothing will be achieved without taking the vital first steps that this agreement represents", he said.
Head of Ocean Energy at Vattenfall, Ulf Tisell, said: "Ireland is a strong candidate for the development of large quantities of clean ocean energy because of its massive natural wave resources. Once proven, we envisage investing significantly in ocean energy. Other countries are also working to grasp ocean energy opportunities. A coordinated approach like this project is required if Ireland is to lead that race".
Ends
For further Information, please contact:
| ESB | Maol Muire Tynan, Public Affairs Manager. Tel: +353-1-87-8286907 Email: maolmuire.tynan@esb.ie Sinead Bruton, Press Officer. Tel. +353-1-7027570 Email: sinead.bruton@esb.ie |
| Vattenfall | Maria Parent Tel: +46 (0) 8 739 65 50 Email: maria.parent@vattenfall.com |
| Tonn Energy | Éadaoin Ni Mhonghaile Tel: +353 87 8519913 Email: eadaion@tonnenergy.ie |
Notes to Editors
Irish Government's Ocean Energy Strategy
The Ocean Energy Strategy is part of the Government's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. Its objective is to establish Ireland as a leading Ocean Energy Centre with a target of 500MW of ocean energy-generated electricity installed by 2020. This new energy source has the potential to significantly contribute to Ireland's competitiveness and represents an emerging opportunity for major economic benefit through new investment and employment.
ESB
The Board of ESB approved a strategic framework with a €22 billion investment programme to 2020. The main focus of the framework is on the sustainable and responsible use of scarce resources, leading to the halving of its carbon emissions within 12 years and attainment of a carbon net-zero position by 2035. About half the total €22 billion investment package will be devoted to renewables through direct investments in renewable energy projects and initiatives supporting sustainability such as smart metering and smart networks.
By 2020, ESB will be producing one-third of its electricity from renewable generation, delivering over 1,400MW of wind generation (with over 100MW already installed), and exploiting the potential of wave, tidal and biomass resources. ESB Networks will invest €11 billion in vital infrastructure to facilitate the development of up to 6,000MW of generated power by every wind generator on the island of Ireland.
ESB International (ESBI) has dedicated resources to emerging wave and solar technologies to ensure the best potential technologies achieve commercial viability. Through ESBI Ocean Energy, the company has been involved in wave and tidal energy development for the last 30 years, expanding its services as technologies reach pre-commercial and commercial stages of development. It too is committed to playing its part to harness over 6,000MW of potential wave energy off the Irish coast, with a target of producing 150MW of wave and tidal energy by 2020.
Vattenfall
Vattenfall is a major Swedish public limited company which generates, distributes and sells electricity to customers throughout Europe. It is one of Europe's largest electricity utilities with operations in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, UK and Ireland. Vattenfall has more than 40,000 employees and is 100% owned by the Swedish State. The group has expanded into the UK and Irish electricity markets having acquired the 300MW Thanet Offshore Wind project in Kent. In 2008, Vattenfall acquired the wind power companies AMEC Wind Energy Limited and Eclipse Energy plc, making Vattenfall one of the biggest wind power operators in Britain, operating on and off shore.
Vattenfall's ocean energy programme involves evaluation of several different technologies in different geographical areas with varying conditions. The company's long-term goal is to be emission neutral by 2050. Since August 2009, Vattenfall has been testing equipment from Swedish company Seabased outside Runde in Norway. During 2010, test sites will also be developed with the technology of Pelamis (Scotland) at sites in Scotland.
Tonn Energy
Tonn Energy is Vattenfall's operation in Ireland focused on the development of ocean energy generating facilities. Tonn Energy is an Irish joint venture company with Wavebob, an indigenous Irish technology firm, founded in 1999, headquartered in Ireland holding international patents for wave energy conversion technology.
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Press Office
t: +353 1 676 5831
Public Affairs Manager
Maol Muire Tynan
t: + 353 1 702 7309
e: maolmuire.tynan@esb.ie
Press Officers
Sinead Bruton
t: + 353 1 702 7570
e: sinead.bruton@esb.ie
Kieran O'Neill
t: + 353 1 702 6193
e: kieran.oneill@esb.ie