Vattenfall drives ocean energy

A joint venture between Vattenfall and Irish wave-farm developer, Wavebob, is expected to drive development of commercial-scale ocean-wave-energy generation off the coast of Ireland.

The joint venture, named Tonn Energy, will carry out development work with support from the Irish government’s Investment and Development Agency, IDA Ireland. The group’s immediate focus will be on research and development on a site off the coast of Mayo County, being planned by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).

Ireland's minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said that the news was exciting and timely for Ireland’s plans to develop viable renewable-energy sources.

‘I have articulated my intention that Ireland, with its unparalleled ocean resources, should become a world leader in renewable energy,’ said Ryan. ‘The participation of a major power utility like Vattenfall, together with the commitment of its Irish partners - which I applaud - in Ireland's energy programme, marks a further step toward realising the considerable opportunities represented by our ocean-wave-energy resource.’

The Mayo County test site is one of the key elements of the government's Ocean Energy Programme, with Tonn Energy as one of the first industry organisations to collaborate with SEI on this project.

Göran Dandanell, director and head of business development for Vattenfall UK, said: ‘Vattenfall's long-term goal is to halve the emissions per produced unit of energy by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and to be emission neutral by 2050. We believe each region has its own unique renewable clean-energy solution.

‘With its magnificent ocean-wave resource and commitment by the Government, Ireland has become a focal point for the development of commercial ocean-wave energy. With such a great opportunity to produce clean energy, we are very happy to be a key partner in Ireland's ocean-energy programme.’