Tags: Cork, deal, Dresser-Rand, Ireland, Ocean Energy, politics, Simon Coveney

An Ocean Energy buoy

FINE Gael spokesperson on communications, energy and natural resources, Simon Coveney, has welcomed today’s announcement of a major development deal between Ocean Energy and Dresser-Rand as a “major kick-start” for the Irish ocean energy sector.

Deputy Coveney said that this deal can be the essential link between a successful pilot testing phase and the roll out of thousands of commercially viable wave energy generators.

“Today’s announcement will place Irish business at the forefront of ocean energy technology. There were concerns that Ireland was slipping behind other countries in the race to develop commercially viable ocean energy technology but this development deal will be a much welcomed boost for the Irish energy sector.

“Fine Gael, in policies such as NewERA, has argued that the development of a strong indigenous renewable energy sector will be key for the future growth of the Irish economy. Ireland needs to build upon recent progress by restructuring the Irish energy sector which is dominated by State companies in order to put the proper emphasis and investment behind Irish renewable energy. Wave energy technology is just one area where we need to stay ahead of our competitors.

“However, today I would like to offer congratulations to John McCarthy and his team who have spent years working to develop this technology through research in Cork and testing off the west coast of Ireland. It is a major vote of confidence in Ocean Energy and the indigenous Irish energy sector that a company such as Dresser-Rand would put serious finance behind the next stage of development.

“Hopefully this deal can be the elusive link between a successful pilot testing phase and the roll out of commercially viable wave energy generators. There is an opportunity here for an Irish company be centre stage in an emerging global wave energy market.”