THE ESB has been awarded foreshore exploration licences to carry out marine tests for a planned €40 million wave-energy project off Co Clare and Co Mayo.
The manager of ESB International subsidiary Ocean Energy, Colm de Burca, said yesterday the foreshore licences from the Department of the Environment were an important step in the project.
He also confirmed the ESB International subsidiary had applied to the European Investment Bank for funding for the 5MW project.
The Ocean Energy plan is part of the Westwave Project that has been selected by the Department of Energy to seek funding from the bank.
Mr de Burca said that currently the cost of putting in place a 5MW wave-energy project was €40 million. He expected this cost could be reduced in future years.
The Clare site is near Doonbeg, while the Mayo sites are near Achill and Belmullet, where an existing marine test site is located.
Mr de Burca said wave measurement buoys would be placed at the sites before the end of August. They would be deployed for up to two years to assess the wave energy potential. One of the three sites would be chosen for the project after the tests. He said the project was dependent on grant support and the bank was expected to give an indication on funding early next year.
