Ireland’s Energy Minister, Alex White, announced the increased support for research and development of ocean renewables by almost EUR 17 mln by 2016.
Speaking at the Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) Industry Day, in Ringaskiddy, where he performed the ‘topping out’ ceremony of Beaufort Research Building, Alex White announced his department’s support for research and development of ocean renewables would increase by 2016, to the total amount of EUR 26 mln.
Alex White said: “The development of Ireland’s marine renewable energy sector will contribute to the generation of carbon-free renewable electricity. In the process, it will enhance the security of Ireland’s energy supply, deliver green growth, and add to the 47,000 jobs already supported by Ireland’s energy sector. Between 2013 and 2016, EUR 16.8 million was added to my Department’s multi-annual ocean energy development budget, bringing the total cumulative funding to EUR 26.3 million.”
Minister White also said that the fully-developed Irish ocean energy sector could be worth as much as EUR 9 billion, and be sustaining many thousands of jobs by 2030.
Beaufort Research is expected to be opened in summer 2015. With up to 135 researchers, the Beaufort laboratory will house the world’s largest group of marine renewable energy researchers.
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Image: flickr/The Irish Labour Party