ORPC Ireland Ltd. to assess tidal energy feasibility in County Donegal

ORPC Ireland Ltd., a subsidiary of Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Co., has been selected by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to conduct a feasibility assessment to identify tidal energy opportunities suitable for development in the coastal waters of County Donegal, Ireland.

Through its Ocean Energy Prototype Development Fund, SEAI seeks to stimulate the development and deployment of ocean energy devices and systems. ORPC Ireland opened an office this spring in County Donegal on Ireland’s northwest coast to capitalize on that region's interest in the company's renewable marine energy technology and expertise.

In a press release about ORPC's Ireland project, SEAI’s CEO Brian Motherway said his agency is committed to facilitating the development of new technologies and projects that will harness Ireland’s rich ocean energy resource.

“County Donegal has been identified as a region of high potential for tidal energy in Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan,” he said. “We are delighted to support ORPC Ireland in conducting this feasibility study in partnership with Donegal County Council to identify development opportunities and form a critical first step in realizing this potential.”

ORPC Ireland Ltd. will use the same phased approach to project development that its parent company successfully demonstrated with its Maine Tidal Energy Project in Eastport and its RivGen Power System Project in Igiugig, Alaska. The County Donegal project will review existing resource data, evaluate grid accessibility, identify existing marine users and sensitive environmental areas, assess supply chain viability and conduct community engagement activities.

“County Donegal's strong maritime heritage, ocean energy resources, and the Port of Killybegs draw striking similarities to Washington County, home to ORPC’s Maine operations,” ORPC President and CEO Chris Sauer said in the release. “We appreciate SEAI’s commitment to advancing the ocean energy industry in Ireland and the dedication of our partners in County Donegal to make positive impacts in the region.”

County Donegal is home to Killybegs, the largest fishing port in Ireland, and boasts more mainland coastline than any other county in the country (705 miles). ORPC Ireland’s home is the Letterkenny Institute’s business development center, known as “CoLab,” located in Letterkenny, the primary economic axis for northwest Ireland.

SEAI was established as Ireland’s national energy authority under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002. Its mission is to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.

In addition to building, operating and delivering power from the world’s first tidal power generator connected to a utility grid at Eastport, ORPC earlier this summer successfully deployed its RivGen power generator in the Kvichak River at the remote river village of Igiugig, Alaska. The 25-kilowatt unit is now providing power to the local microgrid, significantly decreasing the community’s diesel fuel use.

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