How much of a contribution could Wave energy make to Irelands future energy needs?
The 2005 Ocean Energy strategy from the DCMNR, cites Ireland as having huge Ocean Energy potential most particularly with regard to its wave resources. Drawing from Pontes, M.T. et al, (1998), “The European Wave Energy Resource” , the strategy states that the calculated theoretical wave resource for Europe is of the order of 320,000 MW with the highest resources available near the west coast of Ireland. It estimates that the practical wave energy resource offshore is greater than 6,000 MW or 59 TWh per annum as per the public consultation document options for the development of wave energy in Ireland. The potential is there for wave energy to be a crucial contributor towards Ireland’s future energy requirements. However in order for wave energy to be successful, the proper infrastructural preparations need to be carried out to incorporate another intermittent and site-specific energy source on the national grid.
