A total of 15 new renewable energy marine projects are currently underway this year thanks to a grant award of €4.3 million.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) made the announcement in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland at an "Ireland open for business" exhibition at the 6th International Conference for Ocean Energy in Edinburgh.

The 15 projects receiving funding from SEAI in 2016 are:

• BirdWatch Ireland

• Blue Power Energy Ltd

• CADFEM Ireland

• Coneng Consultancy Ltd (Trading as Waveworks)

• DP Energy Ireland Ltd

• ESB

• Frontier Engineering Group Ltd (Trading as JJ Campbell and Associates)

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• GKinetic Energy Ltd

• GRSI

• New Wave Technologies Limited (Trading as Ocean Energy)

• NSAI

• ORPC Ireland

• Sea Energies

• Sea Power Ltd

• Swirl Generators Limited

• Tocardo Ireland Ltd

Declan Meally, Head of Emerging Sectors, SEAI, said: "The objective at this major international event is to show that Ireland is open for business and is actively committed to harnessing its abundant wave, tidal and offshore wind energy resources in an environmentally sustainable manner. The government through its departments and agencies (led by DCENR) is dedicated to developing an indigenous ocean energy industry, which is a real opportunity that will deliver future economic and societal benefits for the citizens of Ireland. To that end, collaboration, both nationally and internationally, is key. To facilitate the development of the sector we're very keen to explore all collaborative opportunities, where Ireland can offer its strengths in areas like test facilities, technology supports, supply chain availability and grid infrastructure."

(CD/MH)