Alternative Energy Potential In Ireland

Irish people are presently following energy independence and encourage development of their vigorous economic system through the execution of research and development into alternative energy resources.

The Ireland has been utilized Hydroelectric power very effectively since the thirties, but more of it needs to be build. Ireland also needs to harness the wave power of the Atlantic Ocean, which on its west coast is a potential energy source.

In the meantime, Ireland is for the most part focused on reaching the point where it can produce 15% of the nation’s electricity through wind farms, which the government has set as a national objective to be reached by 2010. But universities, research institutes, and government personnel in Ireland have been saying that the development of ocean wave energy technology would be a true driving force for the nation’s economy and one which would greatly help to make Ireland energy independent.

A test site for developing wave ocean energy has been set up in Ireland, less than two miles off the coast of An Spideal in County Galway Bay. This experimental ocean wave harnessing location is known as “Wavebob”. The most dynamic waves in the world are located off the West coast of Ireland, says Ireland’s Marine Institute CEO Dr. Peter Heffernan. The technology to harness the power of the ocean is only just emerging and Ireland has the chance to become a market leader in this sector.

Wave energy is a promising new renewable energy resource which could one day make a significant contribution to Ireland’s electricity generation power thereby further reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

Ireland has the potential to become an energy exporter, with the energy potential rests in Ireland’s significant wind, ocean wave, and biomass-producing alternative energy potentialities. Ireland could become a supplier of electrical energy to continental European Community.