Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte, welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on offshore renewable energy research cooperation with the United States Department of Energy.

The memorandum was signed on his behalf in Washington last week during the Taoiseach's visit to the US. Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute signed on behalf of Ireland and Dr Henry Kelly, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Energy signed on behalf of the US.

Ireland has a sea area that is around 10 times the size of its land area. Ireland’s location at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean ensures one of the best wind and wave resources in Europe. There is very significant potential in utilising these resources in the medium to long term to generate carbon free renewable electricity.

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Minister Rabitte said: "Wave energy technology is still very much at the research, development and deployment stages and the Memorandum signed will result in increased co-operation between Ireland and the US. Both countries have an interest in encouraging and improving technology development in this sector and the Memorandum builds on an excellent working relationship fostered by previous joint marine renewable events held in Galway, Washington and Farmleigh over the past few years."

Collaboration under this Memorandum will involve research co-operation in the field of wave and tidal energy, involving marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies. The Minister observed: "The co-operation is planned to be strategic, concentrating mainly on technologies which are not yet commercially viable but which might offer significant renewable energy potential. Mutual co-operation will lead to increased investment opportunities in the Sector, initially as projects develop through the research and demonstration phases and also through increased academic cooperation."

(CD/GK)