AMONGST the sea vessels and equipment of its deep sea port, representatives of the Letterkenny Area Friends of the Earth Local Group participated in a forum on wave energy hosted by ATU in their campus in Killybegs.
The Wild Atlantic Way holds great interest for its beauty and tourism. However, Ireland’s west coast is also among the best in the world for energy capturable for electricity generation contained in its waves, studies have shown. One of the potential deployments identified is for Ireland’s island communities.
The Atlantic Wave Energy Sustainable Deployment Initiative (AWESDI) aims to identify solutions in Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal that are not only technically feasible but also commercially viable, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly. Speakers included Drs Nuala Carr (also a member of Letterkenny Area Friends of the Earth) and Emmett Kerr, ATU Letterkenny and the keynote address was by Prof Tony Lewis, UCC. Other participants included representatives from the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Letterkenny Area Friends of the Earth advocated strongly at the forum for local community involvement and financial benefits for them at wave energy locations and that the full life cycle impacts on climate are calculated and communicated, from manufacturing through installation, operation and maintenance. The investigation and prevention of any negative ecological impacts is of paramount importance. Any potential for environmental pollution should also be ruled out.
Alan Evans, Local Friends of the Earth said: “We learned of the technologies involved and the great potential wave technology has for replacing increasingly expensive, polluting and climate-changing fossil fuels for generating electricity. Combined with other renewables such as solar and wind, this could have great benefits for the people of Donegal. The images presented to us showed equipment with discreet, low visibility impact on their surroundings.
“However, the experts working in this area are encountering significant challenges in progressing the technology due to several factors, such as fragmented regulatory frameworks, infrastructure limitations, testing site availability, costs and grid access. We anticipate that government, relevant authorities, community and voluntary partners, investors and businesses can come together to drive exploration of this technology to its conclusion and address the challenges encountered”.
Friends of the Earth campaign on the system changes needed for a just world where people and nature thrive. The local group for the LetterkennyMilford Municipal District, covering the areas from Glenswilly to Fanad and Glenveagh to Manorcunningham, can be contacted at [email protected]. Further information about the group and their activities can be seen and interacted with at mastodon.ie@LKAreaFriendsOfTheEarth.
Keynote address by Prof Tony Lewis