23 March 2017
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Pictured at the announcement are Minister Simon Coveney, T.D., David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder Wavepower Technologies Ltd and Joanna Murphy, CEO Connect Ireland. Pic: Paul Sherwood.
Minister for Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government Simon Coveney, T.D. today announced that Wavepower Technologies Ltd., the leading UK wave energy technology company, will establish research and development operations at The Entrepreneur Ship, which is based at the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. The new Wavepower site will see the creation of up to 10 advanced engineering research jobs.
Wavepower was introduced to Ireland through ConnectIreland, the company responsible for delivering the Government’s Succeed in Ireland initiative, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, in association with IDA Ireland.
Ministerial comment
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Coveney said: “This announcement is further recognition of the value of creating relevant industry clusters. Ireland has an amazing marine energy resource with world leading researchers and facilities at theMaREI research centre in Cork. I am delighted to see that research excellence being recognised by credible companies such as Wavepower, who have chosen to continue their research adjacent to the centre of marine innovation in Ireland.”
What is ‘The Entrepreneur Ship’?
Wavepower will be based at The Entrepreneur Ship, a business incubator dedicated to marine and energy companies run by the MaREI Centre in Ringaskiddy. The Entrepreneur Ship is part of the IMERC strategic partnership between University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Service established to unlock Ireland’s maritime and energy potential. Wavepower will have the opportunity to engage with MaREI researchers, and also access a range of the resources on site, including the Lir National Ocean Test Facility, the National Maritime College of Ireland and the Irish Naval Service. This maritime centre of excellence has been recognised nationally and internationally as a world class model and continues to attract industry as well as international experts, researchers and resources.
“Wavepower has an ambition to develop world-leading technology to capture the immense energy resource in ocean waves. We understand that this is not an easy or quick task, but we are committed to our vision and believe that with the right people, the right research partners and the right mindset, we can find a way to overcome the challenges of the marine environment and develop commercially viable wave energy convertor technology,” said Wavepower CEO Prof. Mark Gillan.
“We recognise the incredible cluster of expertise, resources and research facilities in Ringaskiddy and are excited to become part of this community. We look forward to being an active member of the marine innovation ecosystem in Ireland and benefiting from Ireland’s track record in innovation in the renewable energy environment.”
ConnectIreland comment
Joanna Murphy, CEO of ConnectIreland, commented: “Wavepower have massive ambition and we are delighted that they will be building a team of 10 highly skilled researchers in Ringaskiddy. It is testament to the quality of both the infrastructure and expertise available that a company ofWavepowers credentials and ambition chose to locate their Future Development Group here.”
MaREI comment
Professor Jerry Murphy, Director of MaREI, said: “We aredelighted to welcome Wavepower to MaREI and to The Entrepreneur Ship. MaREI has brought together 5 Universities, an Institute of Technology and 46 industries to solve challenges in marine and renewable energy. The Entrepreneurship is a vibrant maritime and energy enterprise space where ideas and people can thrive. We are confident that in this environment,Wavepower will optimise their innovative ocean energy technology.”
