Simply Blue Energy has begun a project to develop a hybrid floating wind and wave pilot plant off the west coast of Ireland.
A preliminary front end engineering design study for the Western Star Floating Offshore Wind and Wave Energy project has started.
Offshore survey activities have also begun in parallel with continued stakeholder engagement activity.
Western Star Wind, “Project Ilen”, is a 1.1GW floating offshore wind project located at least 35km off County Clare.
Western Star Wave, “Project Saoirse”, is a pre-commercial demonstration wave energy conversion project located 4-6km off County Clare, starting with 5MW of capacity.
Simply Blue Group is working with CorPower Ocean and EIT Innoenergy to develop the Saoirse project.
Simply Blue managing director Sam Roch-Perks said: “Ireland’s development of floating wind sites continues and we are delighted to be introducing wave energy to the energy mix.
“We believe that the combination of the two technologies will deliver significant system benefits to help economies move to net zero.
“It is fantastic to see Ireland lead the way on this approach”.