Ocean Renewable Power Co., a Portland, Maine-based tidal power company is to establish its new Irish base in the Business Centre at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Donegal. ORPC build and operate hydrokinetic power systems, their TidGen tidal energy device currently in operation in Eastport, Maine being the first system of its kind to provide power to the U.S. utility grid.
ORPC’s chief executive Chris Sauer likened the Donegal coast to the company home base of operations: “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.”
Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
The establishment of ORPC Ireland LLC was welcomed by Donegal County Council Chief Executive Seamus Neely: “We are delighted that ORPC Ireland has located itself in Letterkenny, bringing vast knowledge and expertise of marine renewable energies to the county. ORPC Ireland will work in conjunction with the project partners and local communities to bring an injection of economic impetus to Donegal and the North West region.” Letterkenny Institute of Technology president Paul Hannigan said that the news represented a huge boast to the marine renewable energy industry in Donegal: “The new opportunities this will bring to our communities, including our students and academics, port facilities and local contractors, are very exciting. We are eager to expand our renewable energy expertise and look forward to contributing to the founding of the marine renewables industry in Donegal with ORPC Ireland.”
