A subsea cable from the RV Celtic Explorer has been laid in Galway.

The four kilometre cable, and a frame to which sensors and monitoring equipment will be attached is part of the development of an ocean observatory in Galway Bay connecting the Galway Bay Ocean Energy Test Site and to the shore at Spiddal, Co. Galway.

The cable will supply power to the site and allow unlimited data transfer from the site for researchers testing innovative marine technology including renewable ocean energy devices.

The Marine Institute and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has been working together to promote and develop Ireland's ocean energy potential and this project, with partners SmartBay Ltd, UCC (MarEI - Marine Renewable Energy Ireland), and Dublin City University, is part of a programme to enhance the Galway Bay Ocean Energy Test Site. A suite of sensors and environmental monitoring equipment will be installed on the cable end frame this summer, as well a floating ‘sea station’ which will give developers real time data on how their devices are performing in the ocean .

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Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Alex White T.D. said: "Offshore renewable energy has the potential to be a major component of Ireland's future energy mix and it is vital that we facilitate developments like this one in Galway Bay. Over time, the introduction of ocean energy into Ireland's renewables portfolio will enhance the security of Ireland’s energy supply, deliver green growth, and add to the 47,000 jobs already supported by our energy sector. Government support for ocean research, development and demonstration has been increasing with €16.8 million added to my Department’s multi-annual ocean energy development budget between 2013 and 2016, bringing the total cumulative funding to over €26 million."

(CD/MH)