Offshore renewable energy usage in Northern Ireland took another step forward yesterday, with the appointment of a contractor to conduct further viability studies.
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has sanctioned Faber Maunsell, a major UK consultancy, to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of offshore wind and marine renewables in Irish waters.
A SEA is the study of environmental issues that must be taken into early consideration when developing plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development.
Minister Foster said: "Increasing the contribution of renewables in our energy mix is an imperative for Northern Ireland.
"To date, onshore wind has provided us with most of our renewable electricity but we must now seek to develop more of our natural assets, as we look to the future.
Ms Foster cited the recent development of the Marine Current Turbine project at Strangford Lough as putting Northern Ireland on the map for tidal marine renewables.
She said: "This bodes well for the exploitation of tidal resources, particularly off the north coast.
"Such developments could represent hundreds of millions of pounds of inward investment and offer the potential for more green collar jobs here, as well as giving us a secure source of energy and reducing our green house gas emissions," added the Minister.
Ian Pritchard, Head of Offshore Operations at The Crown Estate, which owns the seabed, said: "As owners of the seabed, we will be working with the Department of Enterprise over the coming months, as the SEA progresses, to develop the programme involving a competitive application process for commercial projects in 2010.
"In the interim, The Crown Estate, DETI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency will consider applications from developers who wish either to deploy test or demonstration stage devices."
(PR)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
29/11/2024
Plans for a new housing development in Carney, Co. Sligo, have significantly progressed after a contract for construction was signed by County Council members. The development, which was designed by Hamilton Young Architects and will be constructed by Kilcawley Construction, consists of 25 homes ...
29/11/2024
South Dublin-based Killinarden Park has officially opened following improvement works. Nicholas de Jong Associates carried out the planning and design work on the project with Clonmel Enterprises Ltd civil contractors realising the vision on the ground. Enhancements to the park include provision ...
29/11/2024
Water supply has been restored to the vast majority of impacted areas in Galway City following repairs, Uisce Éireann has announced. Detection crews from the company isolated the source of a significant burst which occurred in the Docks area of the city yesterday, with works being carried out this ...
29/11/2024
A refurbished running track and new padel courts were officially opened in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, this week. An Taoiseach Simon Harris officially opened the track and padel courts, based at Shoreline Leisure, while also present were the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O Brien, ...
29/11/2024
The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) have raised major concerns regarding the approved proposal to increase the Standard Connection Charge for a newbuild house by 123% in 2025. The proposal, put forward by NIE Networks to the ...
29/11/2024
Green infrastructure improvements have been successfully completed at Claudy Country Park in L'Derry. Upgrades to the play area at the location as well as safety and access works in the wider park were carried out as part of the green infrastructure enhancement project, which was made possible by ...
28/11/2024
Plans to build 674 new homes in the Clooney Road area of L'Derry have been given the green light. South Bank Square submitted the application, which entails a residential development comprising 33 detached and 473 semi-detached dwellings as well as 168 apartments, to Derry City and Strabane ...
28/11/2024
A new wastewater treatment facility in Ballyronan, Co, L'Derry, has been successfully completed following an investment of £5m from NI Water. GEDA Construction was the main contractor for the 18-month contract, while Water Solutions Ireland completed extensive mechanical and electrical ...
28/11/2024
The Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) Active Travel Project has officially been opened by Dublin City Council. The project connects the Royal Canal Greenway to the East Coast Trail and part of the Tolka Valley Greenway, providing a safe, pleasant and continuous segregated walking and cycling route ...
28/11/2024
Approximately €1.5 million in payments have been processed under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme in Offaly. The grant, which aims at turning vacant or derelict houses and buildings into permanent homes or rental properties, has thus far saw 129, out of 196, applications approved in ...