SDLP Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has commended the work of the Council’s Development Department who have arranged for the two consortia who were successful in their bids for the tidal energy projects off Fair Head and Torr Head to meet with the Council in January 2013.
Mr Cunningham said:
“Tidal Ventures Limited a joint venture between Open Hydro Group, a designer and manufacturer of tidal turbines, and Board Gáis Energy one of Ireland’s leading energy providers received the lease off Torr Head, and a consortium comprising Cork based DP Marine Energy Limited and the Belgian marine engineering company DEME Blue Energy received the lease for the tidal stream energy project off Fair Head.
“These infrastructure projects present a great opportunity for the local economy and community.
“We are keen to ensure that Moyle and its community benefits from these projects
“We need to achieve a real economic stimulator in terms of jobs and economic input rather than a simple short term goodwill gesture form these companies.
“As a supporter of renewable energy, I welcome the development of offshore renewable energy and see the possibilities of significant economic, employment and educational benefits”
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Press release, December 20, 2012; Image: openhydro