"Ireland has a huge opportunity with marine renewable energy to develop not only a significant source of clean energy but also a sizeable enterprise sector in the process. We have already made progress in terms of technology development, test facilities and infrastructure planning. This energy resource will be worth billions if properly exploited for electricity generation in the years to come." This is according to Dr Brian Motherway, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Dr Motherway was speaking at the opening of the International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE) 2012 which SEAI is hosting in Dublin this week.

900 marine renewable energy experts from 40 countries as far afield as Australia, Canada, China and New Zealand, plus 70 of the leading developers of ocean energy technologies are convening alongside Dublin's docklands in the Convention Centre from October 17th to 19th for ICOE 2012, the largest event of its kind in the world.

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Officially opening the event, Mr Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources said: "The seas and ocean around Ireland have the potential to be a key component of our economic recovery and sustainable growth, generating benefits for all our citizens. As set out in the Government's integrated marine plan Our Ocean Wealth, wave and tidal energy is an area of very promising future economic and enterprise potential that we intend to harness."

Dr Motherway commented: "It is a huge honour for Ireland and SEAI to host this globally significant event. Maximising our ocean energy potential will present huge employment opportunities, offer a cleaner energy alternative and secure Ireland's energy supply. Ireland has the expertise to be a key player on the world stage with many Irish companies already excelling in the global ocean energy market."

Delegates will hear from such experts as Alla Weinstein, Principal Power; Harry Kolar, IBM; Martin McAdam, Aquamarine; James Ives, Open Hydro; Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream; and Jonathan Fievez of Carnegie Wave.

(CD)