Western seaboard could lead the new wave on renewable energy

The western seaboard could become the hub of a massive export industry providing up to 40,000 jobs in the West of Ireland if the potential for offshore renewable energy was properly developed, according to the Atlantic Ocean Energy Alliance (AOEA).

The AOEA recently made a presentation to the Western Regional Authority in Galway on the economic and social benefits of developing the West coast’s wind, wave and tidal resources. Mr Ben Wrafter, Chairmen of the AOEA, warned that Ireland’s failure to develop these resources could see it lose out to competition from other countries that are already exploiting offshore renewable energy.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune, Mr Wrafter said the AOEA is an alliance of groups whose aim is to promote the emerging ocean energy industry for the benefit of the western region.

“This has the potential to completely revamp the economy along the western seaboard,” Mr Wrafter explained.

“The objective is to provide jobs and to provide economic activity along the western seaboard to try and keep our population. We want to provide an economic environment where our young people can stay at home rather than emigrate. That’s the real driver behind this, to create an economic situation which provides a good standard of living for the people around the western seaboard.”

He pointed out that an offshore renewable energy industry would be dependent on establishing markets to export the energy to.

“The capacity of the Irish market for renewable energy is too small to support an offshore energy industry so this is all predicated on an export industry.”

He noted that the UK discussed the possibility of importing renewable energy from the West coast of Ireland at the 2011 British and Irish Council meeting and that talks are continuing between the two countries.  

Another requirement would be the development of the national grid to transfer this energy into the UK, and potentially into Europe. Naturally, this industry would require huge amount of investment and infrastructural development but this would also lead to employment across a range of sectors. The key ports would include Letterkenny, Galway, Foynes and Cork.

In addition to the development of ports, industrial areas around ports and the supporting industries, the supply chain into this industry would cover a diverse group of suppliers including engineering and electronic companies, surveyors, lawyers, architects, divers and many more.

While noting that some initiatives are already underway, Mr Wrafter stressed the need to deploy test projects in the waters off the Western Seaboard as soon as possible.

“All of this is long-term but, because it takes so long, it is important to get started as soon as we can and get pilot projects running as soon as we can.”

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.