This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council has joined industry calls for more government support for tide and wave power.
The council is currently developing plans to establish facilities for the testing development and deployment of tidal technologies using the strong flows off the Island’s coastline.
Committed £1m to Solent Ocean Energy Centre
Last month it agreed to commit £1 million to the Solent Ocean Energy Centre – a developing project that has already drawn the promise of £2 million investment from the private sector.
The council remains in contact with Crown Estates, whose consent would be needed for the project, and also with government as it builds support for the initiative.
South Coast universities also support SOEC which when in operation would meet all the Island’s energy needs and create 5,000 jobs throughout the UK.
Isle of Wight Council leader David Pugh said, “In its tides, the Island has a limitless power source just waiting to be harnessed. What is more it also has an indigenous industry base capable of supporting such a facility.
“We as a council have demonstrated our faith in the project with significant investment which has been more than matched by the private sector. Discussions with Crown Estates have also been positive.”
“Only be realised if the government follow our lead”
He went on to say, “Despite a significant investment from a local authority the potential of the project will only be realised if the government follow our lead and provide some financial support for the industry. This would be a tremendous example of national government action matched by local government innovation and leadership from which the whole country could benefit. It will also help secure the future of a young and innovative industry in which UK is currently a world leader.”
Councillor Pugh’s call came as RenewableUK, the trade association representing the renewable energy industry, appealed for a significant increase in investment by the UK and Scottish governments to realise the wave and tidal sector’s massive potential. The industry predicts that the sector will be worth £3.7 billion to the UK by 2020.
Study of marine energy published
The organisation has just published a report “Marine Energy in the UK” that highlights the fact that the two governments have so far provided less than a third of the £120 million needed for the industry to overcome the barriers to full-scale commercial development. The study notes that this support is vital, as every pound of public sector investment will unlock six pounds of private investment.
David Krohn, RenewableUK’s wave and tidal development manager, said: “One step the government could take is to allow the Green Investment Bank to support wave and tidal projects at an early stage. It’s frustrating that ministers have not yet identified marine energy as a priority sector for the GIB.”
Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of RenewableUK said: “An overly cautious approach could allow other countries to steal the UK’s lead, so it’s vital that the Scottish and UK governments build on the good work they’ve already done by supporting the development of these industries, to ensure that we can retain our leading position globally. This will also give us an opportunity to secure a large part of the worldwide market by exporting our technology.”
Image: Kevin Mick under CC BY 2.0
