A delegation fromWashington State’s Department of Commerce recently visited the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as part of a trade mission to Ireland and Englandto develop business linkages. The visit presents an exciting opportunity for Irish clean-tech companies to make meaningful collaborations with international markets, including the US and Far East which can be easily accessed via Washington.
The delegation included leaders from industry, academia, state utilities and public enterprise organisations who were visiting with the intention of growing foreign exports and encouraging direct investment particularly in key growth areas, such as sustainable technology and ocean energy. The delegation was also keen to learn from Ireland’s experience in relation to renewable energy and carbon reduction policies.
SEAI chief executive, Dr Brian Motherway, comments: “Ireland has developed significant expertise in sustainable energy which now presents global commercial opportunities. As foreign markets increasingly recognise our knowledge and experience, and look to link with us, Irish businesses can expand to wider international markets and create real enterprise benefits.”
As part of the visit to SEAI, the delegation met with leading Irish ocean energy experts who briefed them on the latest Irish developments in wave and tidal energy. Ireland is one of the global leaders in the development of ocean energy technology and, through SEAI, will host a major international conference on ocean energy, ICOE2012, in October this year.