Wave energy has the potential to supply 150 per cent of Co Clare's electricity needs and wind energy could supply almost 50 per cent of the county's electricity requirements by 2015, according to the manager of the Limerick-Clare Energy Agency, Pat Stephens.

Mr Stephens also told members of Clare County Council yesterday that plans are expected to be lodged soon for a plant in Shannon that will produce environmentally friendly fuel.

Mr Stephens said the Shannon-based pilot project is expected to produce 100,000 litres of bio-diesel from pure plant oil each year and has the potential to produce 20-40 million litres. The company involved is seeking pre-planning discussions with Clare County Council on the issue, he said.

Mr Stephens said that each year Clare's motorists consume 210 million litres of petrol and diesel. He also said that 89 per cent of Clare's energy needs are met by oil and electricity, with oil 73 per cent and electricity at 16 per cent.

He said: "We cannot produce oil, but we can produce electricity from wind, water and solar energy. Clare needs 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity for its present needs."

Mr Stephens pointed out that by 2015, Clare may have wind farms producing 87MW of power.

Mr Stephens said that the Clare County Development Plan had targeted 20MW of wind-power by 2008.

However, he pointed out that 32MW is already connected through wind farms at Connolly (19.5MW) and Moanmore, Kilrush (12.6 MW).

Mr Stephens said that 22MW is due to be contracted for connection before the end of 2007 and that an estimated further 33MW will be connected before 2015.

Mr Stephens said that the potential annual output from wave energy off Clare's Atlantic coast is between 30-300MW.

On the energy that can be developed through energy crops and forestry, Mr Stephens pointed out that Clare has 43,700 hectares of land, or 14 per cent, under forestry - 5 percentage points more than the national average.

He said: "The Clare Wood Energy Project estimates that 80,000 tonnes plus of wood is available per annum for energy and that six commercial projects in this field will commence by the end of 2006." Mr Stephens said that to meet our Kyoto commitments, it will mean a 4.7-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide for every person by 2012.

The Limerick-Clare Energy Agency was established in July 2005. Its investors are Clare and Limerick County Councils. The agency's remit is to promote sustainable development and promote energy awareness and advice.