The Westwave Project aims to develop the first wave energy project in Ireland by 2015 by generating an initial 5MW of clean renewable electricity from the plentiful wave energy resource available off the west coast of Ireland. Westwave is a collaborative project led by ESB in conjunction with a number of wave energy technology partners including Irish technology developers Wavebob and Ocean Energy, and Scottish technology developers Aquamarine Power and Pelamis Wave Power.
The project will be considered for funding under the EU’s NER300 fund, alongside support under the Republic of Ireland’s Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) for wave energy and domestic grant funding. The project is in line with ESB’s strategy to develop electricity from ocean energy and the Irish Government’s strategy to generate 500MW from ocean energy by 2020.
ESB was awarded foreshore exploration licences for the Westwave Project by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG). These licences permit ESB to conduct marine surveys and resource measurements at two locations, Killard Point, Co. Clare and the Achill Area, Co. Mayo. These sites were identified following a detailed selection process based on mapping studies, site testing, environmental considerations and stakeholder feedback.