Public gets a say in Galway Bay test site lease

Illustration (Photo: SEAI)
Illustration (Photo: SEAI)

 
Public consultation is underway on the Marine Institute’s application for a foreshore lease to upgrade the Galway Bay marine and renewable energy test site.

The Marine Institute of Ireland has applied to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for a foreshore lease for the Galway Bay marine and renewable energy test site where prototype marine renewable energy technology can be tested at reduced scale to determine viability in an ocean environment.

Observations are invited on the foreshore lease application which outlines plans to upgrade the current infrastructure and facilitate the deployment of a wider range of marine renewable energy devices and novel sensor technologies at the Galway Bay marine and renewable energy test site, according to the Marine Institute.

The Galway Bay marine and renewable energy test site has been in operation since 2006 when it was established by the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The purpose of the site is to allow technology innovators to test the viability of small scale prototypes in an ocean environment.

A copy of the application, and the relevant maps, plans, reports and drawings are available to download from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s website.

Copies of these documents are also available for viewing at Salthill Garda Station, Salthill, Spiddal Public Library.

The closing date for comments is set for June 17, 2016.

In addition, the Marine Institute plans to hold a public information event early in June as part of the consultation process.

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