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"Ilen came back from London so quickly we got ahead of ourselves" said Ilen Marine School Director Gary MacMahon in Baltimore today, where the Limerick trading ketch had prudently put into port yesterday (Monday)
evening in acknowledgement of near-gale westerlies forecast for the Blasket Islands area.

"To be quite honest" he continued, "we were exhausted. The London visit had been so hectic with unexpected visitors turning up in the gaps in the scheduled programmme that a night's rest without social and sea-going pressures in Baltimore seemed very appealing. The crossing of the Celtic Sea had been fast but bumpy, with plenty of salt-water flying around - our decks have never been cleaner. And while we're here, we can get a couple of jobs done by Liam Hegarty before heading on to Limerick in a day or two".

Two particularly memorable though unexpected visitors in London were international architect Ian Ritchie and his wife. He designed the Dublin Spire in O'Connell Street, and was fascinated to see what a qualified
architect like Conor O'Brien had made of the project to design Ilen way back in 1925-26.

London-based Dublin Spire architect Ian Ritchie (right) with his wife on board Ilen in St Katharine Docks. Photo: Gary Mac MahonLondon-based Dublin Spire architect Ian Ritchie (right) with his wife on board Ilen in St Katharine Docks. Photo: Gary Mac Mahon

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The business of the City of London is business. Thus last week's visit there by the Limerick trading ketch Ilen saw many boxes being ticked in an efficient style, including a clear affirmation that The Dey of Kilcoe takes precedence over The Knight of Glin. But for any sailing ship, favourable winds take precedence over everything. So after the experience of dealing with headwinds while getting to London, the developing prospect of a favourable weather pattern saw events in the latter part of the week being compressed, and Ilen headed seawards on Friday instead of Saturday as originally planned.

It's a move which has paid off handsomely. This afternoon (Monday) Ilen is already off the coast of southwest Ireland, after a storming fair-wind sail across the Celtic Sea, and all being well she should be into Limerick on the tide tomorrow (Tuesday) at lunchtime.

1700hrs update - With rising winds and a difficult forecast, Ilen came into Baltimore this (Monday) evening

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The River Thames in the heart of London is a lively piece of intensely tidal water, so for vessels bound for the sea-locked haven of St Katharine Docks beside Tower Bridge, it can be restless enough lying in
the waiting berth in the river until your allotted time for passing through the tidal lock comes up on the clock.

Eight days after leaving Limerick, the 56ft 1926-vintage ketch Ilen locked through today (Sunday), and is now in the deep peace of the dock where skilful urban planning has resulted in restful groves of trees
cheek-by-jowl with buildings ancient and new. Skipper Gary MacMahon and his crew have a busy schedule lined up during their city-linking venture, with the highlight being next Wednesday (May 4th) at 3.0pm, when Glin Castle-linked actor Dominic West will host a reception bringing together and celebrating the many international strands in Ilen's remarkable history.

A final glimpse of Tower Bridge before Ilen moves into the haven.A final glimpse of Tower Bridge before Ilen moves into the havenAncient and modern: Ilen's London berth beside the Tower HotelAncient and modern: Ilen's London berth beside the Tower Hotel

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Following the departure last Saturday for her 700-mile Limerick-London voyage, the trading ketch Ilen under the command of Ilen Marine School Director Gary Mac Mahon was able to sail the track as far as Land's End
in Cornwall, which she rounded on Monday afternoon. But since then with persistent (and at times very cold) easterlies in the English Channel, in order to make progress, it has been necessary to knuckle down and rely on
the trusty classic Gardiner auxiliary diesel to move the 1926-vintage 56-footer on her way.

But as it happens, although the Ilen originator Conor O'Brien was a devoted sailing enthusiast, when the Falkland Islands Company insisted on an adequate auxiliary engine, he brought his practicality as an architect to the task. Thus as the profile of the ship in this Falkland Islands commemorative stamp of 2001 reveals, he ensured that the entire aperture for the propellor was taken out of the deadwood of the hull, while the almost vertical and complete rudder optimises prop-thrust for the tight manoeuvring essential in some of the very confined berthing areas in the islands.

Any boat with a heavily-raked rudder from which a large aperture has been removed to accommodate the propellor is at a complete manoeuvrability disadvantage by comparison with this setup. So not surprisingly, Ilen is
fondly remembered in the Falklands for her user-friendly handling characteristics under power, and when the restoration project was underway in 2001, they ensured that for possibly the first tme ever, the Irish tricolour appeared on a British postage stamp.

Progress has been good this week under O'Brien's excellent engine arrangement, and this morning (Thursday) Ilen is now on a westerly heading up the Thames Estuary, well on time for arrival in St Katharine Dock where the main official event will be staged next Wednesday (May 4th) at 3.0pm.

Ilen's track-chart this morning (Thursday) into the Thames Estuary also records the persistent easterliesIlen's track-chart this morning (Thursday) into the Thames Estuary also records the persistent easterlies

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Although she is now meeting easterly headwinds in the English Channel as she voyages towards London following her departure down the Shannon Estuary on Saturday, the 56ft Limerick Trading Ketch Ilen was able to lay the course from the Fastnet Rock to the Seven Stones Lightship close eastward of the Isle of Scilly with sheets slightly cracked.

In fact, as the track chart shows, a helpful slant off the south coast of West Cork enabled her crew to grab a bit of extra weathering before settling down for the long haul across the Celtic Sea. Progress was so good that they were able to take a five-hour break in Falmouth last night (Monday) before heading off again at sunrise this morning (Tuesday).

Ilen's track from Limerick to Falmouth, which she reached last night (Monday)Ilen's track from Limerick to Falmouth, which she reached last night (Monday)

Meanwhile, next week's programme in St Katharine Dock - which will see a special international ceremony hosted by actor Dominic West at 3.0pm on Wednesday, May 4th - is taking on further dimensions, as the interesting craft currently in the dock include the 90ft Royal Rowbarge Gloriana.

The complex building of Gloriana was successfully project-managed by Damian Byrne, who is from Cork, but went to school at Glenstal Abbey in Limerick. There, his teachers included Brother Anthony Keane who is much involved with the Ilen Project, and this link will become tangible in London with Ilen and Gloriana in port together.

On track. Ilen making goood progress yesterday (Monday) across the Celtic SeaOn track. Ilen making goood progress yesterday (Monday) across the Celtic Sea

The 90ft Rowbarge Gloriana, whose building was project-managed by former Glenstal Abbey pupil Damian Byrne of Cork, will be in St Katharine Dock during Ilen's visit next week.The 90ft Rowbarge Gloriana, whose building was project-managed by former Glenstal Abbey pupil Damian Byrne of Cork, will be in St Katharine Dock during Ilen's visit next week.

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The complex and long-standing relationship between the ancient city ports of Limerick and London will be celebrated with a ceremony on the historic Trading Ketch Ilen in the London city-centre St Katharine Dock, beside Tower Bridge on the River Thames, on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 4th at 3.0pm.

The host for the inaugural event on May 4th will be celebrated international movie and TV star Dominic West, who is himself a lifelong waterways enthusiast with the bonus of close links to the Shannon Estuary through his marriage into the FitzGerald family of Glin Castle.

The Ilen departs from Limerick city this Saturday – April 23rd – London-bound on a voyage towards a cultural exchange which will see the restored 1926-vintage Baltimore-built 56ft ketch staying on in St Katharine Dock as the focal point for number of events until May 14th.

A much-travelled veteran – the Ilen in Greenland in 2019 (left), and the voyage from Limerick to London which gets under way this Saturday (April 23rd).A much-travelled veteran – the Ilen in Greenland in 2019 (left), and the voyage from Limerick to London which gets under way this Saturday (April 23rd).  

ILEN DIRECTOR OUTLINES THE PROJECT 

Gary Mac Mahon, Director of the Ilen Marine School, takes up the story:

“The Ilen Marine School’s Limerick to London project is a celebration of Limerick-London and Anglo-Irish maritime links. The project involves sailing the Limerick-registered heritage ship Ilen from the Shannon Estuary to that of the Thames, departing April 23 from Steamboat Quay, Limerick and arriving at St. Katharine Dock, London, in the last days of April 2022. Port to port, a distance of approximately 750 nautical miles, and a voyage of nothing less than six days.

The Ilen, today in her 96th year, is owned and operated by the Ilen Marine School, Limerick, a not-for-profit community educational organisation whose mission finds expression through the medium of the marine. Specifically, the maritime traditions of western Ireland’s Shannon River and the Atlantic ebb and flow that gives her life.

The Ilen straddles two oceans and two nations. Built in Ireland in 1926 for the Falkland Islands, her genesis can be ascribed to a serendipitous 1925 encounter in London between Limerickman Conor O’Brien, the pioneering voyager and global circumnavigator, and a Mr Goddard of the Falkland Islands Company in London.

Goddard had been tasked with procuring a new service vessel for the island farms of East Falkland. O’Brien, a trained architect, took Goddard’s boat-building commission from London to his drawing board in Limerick, and later that year Ilen’s keel was laid at Baltimore, where she took her name from the nearby River Ilen.

Delivered under his own command by O’Brien, Ilen duly arrived in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands in January 1927 - that same stout Baltimore-laid keel having cut straight through the waters of the North and South Atlantic oceans.

At the heart of a great port city - St Katharine Dock will be home to Ilen for two weeks in May.At the heart of a great port city - St Katharine Dock will be home to Ilen for two weeks in May

This May, Ilen’s first visit to her place of conception will see her provide a broad cultural platform for British-Irish events on the Thames River, in the shadow of London’s Tower Bridge. This programme of cultural events on the Thames River – which will include a visit to Greenwich - welcomes all who wish to celebrate British-Irish relationships through Limerick-London maritime links and the voyage of the good ship Ilen.”

LINEUP OF NOTABLE SPEAKERS ON ILEN IN LONDON

In his role as MC on May 4th, Dominic West will be introducing an eclectic line-up of speakers, including the Sheriff of the City of London, Alderman Alison Gowman, the Mayor of Limerick City and County Daniel Butler, Michael Lonergan of the Irish Embassy to Great Britain, 
and the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Member for Port Stanley, Gavin Short.

The supporting organisations and individuals backing this unusual and intriguing venture include Ilen Marine School, Limerick 
Limerick City & County Council
, Limerick Civic Trust
, The University of Limerick 
Heritage Council - Irish Walled Towns Network, the Earl of Limerick, the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, the Port of London, the Irish Embassy to Great Britain, Tourism Ireland, the 
Falkland Islands Government, and the Royal Museum Greenwich.

A visit to historic Greenwich will also be included in the Ilen programme.A visit to historic Greenwich will also be included in the Ilen programme

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The restored 56ft trading ketch Ilen of 1926 vintage and Conor O’Brien fame has been blithely passage-making to and fro at speed – despite the unsettled weather – along the southwest coast in recent weeks, as Ilen Marine School Director Gary Mac Mahon and his colleagues prepare their ship for her “Culture Voyage” to London.

After a high-profile period of being hospitably wintered in Galway Docks, where her squaresail yard provided the structure for some industrial-grade Christmas tree lighting at the height of the festive season, Ilen zapped southward in the mad March days towards her re-birth home of Liam Hegarty’s boatyard at Oldcourt on the Ilen River above Baltimore.

vGoing about her business – the Limerick trading ketch Ilen will be London-bound in late April. Photo: Gary Mac MahonGoing about her business – the Limerick trading ketch Ilen will be London-bound in late April. Photo: Gary Mac Mahon

Welcome aboard! Ilen’s hospitable saloon looking its best at the conclusion of the recent refit.Welcome aboard! Ilen’s hospitable saloon looking its best at the conclusion of the recent refit.

There, a fortnight of very concentrated survey and re-fit programme was put in hand, and with April upon them, the job was done. Despite the restlessness of the Atlantic – particularly in the Blaskets area – it was expedient to have the ship back in Limerick at the earliest opportunity, and now she is returned to her home port after a 23-hour passage quayside to quayside, with the benefits of the ketch’s big stove much appreciated.

Looking good – Ilen back in Limerick this week. Photo: Gary Mac Mahon   Looking good – Ilen back in Limerick this week. Photo: Gary Mac Mahon  

Departure for London in the latter half of April will allow a comfortable time window to be berthed at the beginning of May in St Katharine’s Dock beside Tower Bridge, with the dock authorities providing an accessible location for Ilen to stay until May 14th. There, she will act as the focal point for a series of events celebrating the positive links between ancient port cities.

Geography re-imagined – the logo for the Ilen’s London expedition.Geography re-imagined – the logo for the Ilen’s London expedition.

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The programme for the “cultural voyage” of the 56ft restored Limerick trading ketch Ilen to London in late April and through the first fortnight of May continues to take shape. The ship herself is now back in her birthplace at Liam Hegarty’s boatyard at Oldcourt
on the Ilen River in West Cork above Baltimore, after a brisk passage south at the end of the last week from winter quarters in the hospitable embrace of Galway Docks.

The annual Spring refit is underway, and Ilen Marine School director Gary Mac Mahon has confirmed that the successful Galway berthing is going to be replicated in London, where a prime berth for both visibility and accessibility has been allocated at the heart of the popular St Katharine’s Dock, immediately downriver of Tower Bridge in the midst of the city.

A much-travelled vessel. The Limerick ketch Ilen in Greenland (left), and the route of her proposed voyage to London in late April (right).A much-travelled vessel. The Limerick ketch Ilen in Greenland (left), and the route of her proposed voyage to London in late April (right).

Organisations that are involved with the Ilen Marine School in this visionary project include:

  • Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain
  • Falkland Islands Government
  • University of Limerick 
  • Port of London Authority
  • Limerick City and County Council
  • Royal Museums Greenwich
  • Edmund Limerick
  • Heritage Council - Walled Town Network 

Further details from [email protected]

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The last timber-built sailing trading ship in Ireland, the 56ft Ilen, will set off from the river port of Limerick on the Shannon in April, bound for the great river city of London on the Thames in England writes Gary Mac Mahon.

With fair winds, the Ilen should arrive at St Katharine Docks in the maritime heart of London beside Tower Bridge at the beginning of May, where she will be berthed until 14th May, with a possible transit of Tower Bridge in prospect.

The voyage’s purpose is to celebrate the centuries-old cultural and trading relationship between the two port cities. It will be the culmination of a series of voyages undertaken by the Ilen in 2021 – the Kingship Voyages – to many of the Irish towns and cities that have grown from medieval walled settlements built on tidal river estuaries. Limerick and London are both highly evolved metropolitan bastions of maritime and riverine heritage, and they share a long history.

Shared situation. Limerick’s great estuary comes in from the west, while London’s come in from the east.Shared situation. Limerick’s great estuary comes in from the west, while London’s come in from the east.

The word “trade” itself seems to be a cognate of the word “track” – as in the track of a sailing ship. Thus a voyage like this aboard a heritage sailing ship is an ideal way to explore and bring to broader attention the way in which, in times past, inter-community trade followed swiftly in the effervescent wake of maritime cultural exchange.

PROSPECTS & PARTICIPATION

The Ilen network will be inviting leading and representative groups and individuals from both cities to share in this venture. The multiple historical, cultural, social and commercial strands interwoven within the Limerick to London Cultural Voyage 2022 are many and their unfurling, unravelling and interweaving offer exciting and productive possibilities for many involved.

In May, the Ilen will offer a highly visual and culturally redolent platform in the heart of London to celebrate Angloe-Irish relationships and enjoy exploratory conversations on prospective commercial and cultural collaborations and exchanges.

Enquiries at [email protected], and more details from the Ilen Marine School, www.ilen.ie

The Limerick ketch Ilen is now back home after spending Christmas and New Year in Galway. She availed of the remarkably good weather to make the return passage south, and this photo was taken at Carrigaholt in the Shannon Estuary on January 22nd. Photo: Gary Mac MahonThe Limerick ketch Ilen is now back home after spending Christmas and New Year in Galway. She availed of the remarkably good weather to make the return passage south, and this photo was taken at Carrigaholt in the Shannon Estuary on January 22nd. Photo: Gary Mac Mahon

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The imaginative use of the 1926-vintage 56ft Trading Ketch Ilen’s mainmast as a brightly-illuminated Christmas Tree for Galway Docks was switched on as recently as Sunday evening. Yet within 30 hours, the entire setup was being severely tested for many hours by the huge winds of Storm Barra.

Gary MacMahon, Director of the Ilen Marine School, commented today (Wednesday): “We take this opportunity to express again our gratitude for a magnificent winter berth in the Port of Galway, and for the welcoming and helpful Harbour Master Captain Brian Sheridan”.

But while the berth itself was exceptionally snug, there was no mistaking the power and speed of the wind howling overhead, and it speaks volumes for the seamanlike skills and high standards inculcated by the Ilen Marine School that not only did the highly-visible seasonal lights and their equipment come through unscathed, but they had been so well installed that at no time at the height of the storm was it felt necessary to disconnect from the grid.

Mark Sutton of Ishka Spring Water Limerick, sponsors of Ilen’s Christmas Lights, with Gary Mac Mahon (Director, Ilen Marine School) and Captain Brian Sheridan, Harbour Master of the Port of Galway, at Sunday night’s switch-on ceremony.Mark Sutton of Ishka Spring Water Limerick, sponsors of Ilen’s Christmas Lights, with Gary Mac Mahon (Director, Ilen Marine School) and Captain Brian Sheridan, Harbour Master of the Port of Galway, at Sunday night’s switch-on ceremony

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Ireland's Offshore Renewable Energy

Because of Ireland's location at the Atlantic edge of the EU, it has more offshore energy potential than most other countries in Europe. The conditions are suitable for the development of the full range of current offshore renewable energy technologies.

Offshore Renewable Energy FAQs

Offshore renewable energy draws on the natural energy provided by wind, wave and tide to convert it into electricity for industry and domestic consumption.

Offshore wind is the most advanced technology, using fixed wind turbines in coastal areas, while floating wind is a developing technology more suited to deeper water. In 2018, offshore wind provided a tiny fraction of global electricity supply, but it is set to expand strongly in the coming decades into a USD 1 trillion business, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). It says that turbines are growing in size and in power capacity, which in turn is "delivering major performance and cost improvements for offshore wind farms".

The global offshore wind market grew nearly 30% per year between 2010 and 2018, according to the IEA, due to rapid technology improvements, It calculated that about 150 new offshore wind projects are in active development around the world. Europe in particular has fostered the technology's development, led by Britain, Germany and Denmark, but China added more capacity than any other country in 2018.

A report for the Irish Wind Energy Assocation (IWEA) by the Carbon Trust – a British government-backed limited company established to accelerate Britain's move to a low carbon economy - says there are currently 14 fixed-bottom wind energy projects, four floating wind projects and one project that has yet to choose a technology at some stage of development in Irish waters. Some of these projects are aiming to build before 2030 to contribute to the 5GW target set by the Irish government, and others are expected to build after 2030. These projects have to secure planning permission, obtain a grid connection and also be successful in a competitive auction in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).

The electricity generated by each turbine is collected by an offshore electricity substation located within the wind farm. Seabed cables connect the offshore substation to an onshore substation on the coast. These cables transport the electricity to land from where it will be used to power homes, farms and businesses around Ireland. The offshore developer works with EirGrid, which operates the national grid, to identify how best to do this and where exactly on the grid the project should connect.

The new Marine Planning and Development Management Bill will create a new streamlined system for planning permission for activity or infrastructure in Irish waters or on the seabed, including offshore wind farms. It is due to be published before the end of 2020 and enacted in 2021.

There are a number of companies aiming to develop offshore wind energy off the Irish coast and some of the larger ones would be ESB, SSE Renewables, Energia, Statkraft and RWE.

There are a number of companies aiming to develop offshore wind energy off the Irish coast and some of the larger ones would be ESB, SSE Renewables, Energia, Statkraft and RWE. Is there scope for community involvement in offshore wind? The IWEA says that from the early stages of a project, the wind farm developer "should be engaging with the local community to inform them about the project, answer their questions and listen to their concerns". It says this provides the community with "the opportunity to work with the developer to help shape the final layout and design of the project". Listening to fishing industry concerns, and how fishermen may be affected by survey works, construction and eventual operation of a project is "of particular concern to developers", the IWEA says. It says there will also be a community benefit fund put in place for each project. It says the final details of this will be addressed in the design of the RESS (see below) for offshore wind but it has the potential to be "tens of millions of euro over the 15 years of the RESS contract". The Government is also considering the possibility that communities will be enabled to invest in offshore wind farms though there is "no clarity yet on how this would work", the IWEA says.

Based on current plans, it would amount to around 12 GW of offshore wind energy. However, the IWEA points out that is unlikely that all of the projects planned will be completed. The industry says there is even more significant potential for floating offshore wind off Ireland's west coast and the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a long-term plan for at least 30 GW of floating offshore wind in our deeper waters.

There are many different models of turbines. The larger a turbine, the more efficient it is in producing electricity at a good price. In choosing a turbine model the developer will be conscious of this ,but also has to be aware the impact of the turbine on the environment, marine life, biodiversity and visual impact. As a broad rule an offshore wind turbine will have a tip-height of between 165m and 215m tall. However, turbine technology is evolving at a rapid rate with larger more efficient turbines anticipated on the market in the coming years.

 

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme is designed to support the development of renewable energy projects in Ireland. Under the scheme wind farms and solar farms compete against each other in an auction with the projects which offer power at the lowest price awarded contracts. These contracts provide them with a guaranteed price for their power for 15 years. If they obtain a better price for their electricity on the wholesale market they must return the difference to the consumer.

Yes. The first auction for offshore renewable energy projects is expected to take place in late 2021.

Cost is one difference, and technology is another. Floating wind farm technology is relatively new, but allows use of deeper water. Ireland's 50-metre contour line is the limit for traditional bottom-fixed wind farms, and it is also very close to population centres, which makes visibility of large turbines an issue - hence the attraction of floating structures Do offshore wind farms pose a navigational hazard to shipping? Inshore fishermen do have valid concerns. One of the first steps in identifying a site as a potential location for an offshore wind farm is to identify and assess the level of existing marine activity in the area and this particularly includes shipping. The National Marine Planning Framework aims to create, for the first time, a plan to balance the various kinds of offshore activity with the protection of the Irish marine environment. This is expected to be published before the end of 2020, and will set out clearly where is suitable for offshore renewable energy development and where it is not - due, for example, to shipping movements and safe navigation.

YEnvironmental organisations are concerned about the impact of turbines on bird populations, particularly migrating birds. A Danish scientific study published in 2019 found evidence that larger birds were tending to avoid turbine blades, but said it didn't have sufficient evidence for smaller birds – and cautioned that the cumulative effect of farms could still have an impact on bird movements. A full environmental impact assessment has to be carried out before a developer can apply for planning permission to develop an offshore wind farm. This would include desk-based studies as well as extensive surveys of the population and movements of birds and marine mammals, as well as fish and seabed habitats. If a potential environmental impact is identified the developer must, as part of the planning application, show how the project will be designed in such a way as to avoid the impact or to mitigate against it.

A typical 500 MW offshore wind farm would require an operations and maintenance base which would be on the nearby coast. Such a project would generally create between 80-100 fulltime jobs, according to the IWEA. There would also be a substantial increase to in-direct employment and associated socio-economic benefit to the surrounding area where the operation and maintenance hub is located.

The recent Carbon Trust report for the IWEA, entitled Harnessing our potential, identified significant skills shortages for offshore wind in Ireland across the areas of engineering financial services and logistics. The IWEA says that as Ireland is a relatively new entrant to the offshore wind market, there are "opportunities to develop and implement strategies to address the skills shortages for delivering offshore wind and for Ireland to be a net exporter of human capital and skills to the highly competitive global offshore wind supply chain". Offshore wind requires a diverse workforce with jobs in both transferable (for example from the oil and gas sector) and specialist disciplines across apprenticeships and higher education. IWEA have a training network called the Green Tech Skillnet that facilitates training and networking opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

It is expected that developing the 3.5 GW of offshore wind energy identified in the Government's Climate Action Plan would create around 2,500 jobs in construction and development and around 700 permanent operations and maintenance jobs. The Programme for Government published in 2020 has an enhanced target of 5 GW of offshore wind which would create even more employment. The industry says that in the initial stages, the development of offshore wind energy would create employment in conducting environmental surveys, community engagement and development applications for planning. As a site moves to construction, people with backgrounds in various types of engineering, marine construction and marine transport would be recruited. Once the site is up and running , a project requires a team of turbine technicians, engineers and administrators to ensure the wind farm is fully and properly maintained, as well as crew for the crew transfer vessels transporting workers from shore to the turbines.

The IEA says that today's offshore wind market "doesn't even come close to tapping the full potential – with high-quality resources available in most major markets". It estimates that offshore wind has the potential to generate more than 420 000 Terawatt hours per year (TWh/yr) worldwide – as in more than 18 times the current global electricity demand. One Terawatt is 114 megawatts, and to put it in context, Scotland it has a population a little over 5 million and requires 25 TWh/yr of electrical energy.

Not as advanced as wind, with anchoring a big challenge – given that the most effective wave energy has to be in the most energetic locations, such as the Irish west coast. Britain, Ireland and Portugal are regarded as most advanced in developing wave energy technology. The prize is significant, the industry says, as there are forecasts that varying between 4000TWh/yr to 29500TWh/yr. Europe consumes around 3000TWh/year.

The industry has two main umbrella organisations – the Irish Wind Energy Association, which represents both onshore and offshore wind, and the Marine Renewables Industry Association, which focuses on all types of renewable in the marine environment.

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