Wave power to feed grid within three years

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 31 Jan 2005 11:12

The UK's first large scale wave and tidal power generation farms could be contributing to manufacturing’s power needs via the national grid within three years.

Funded from the £50 million Marine Research Deployment Fund announced last August, a new support scheme worth £42 million will fund the construction of demonstration farms around the UK.

Announcing the scheme today, Energy Minister Mike O'Brien said the marine renewables sector was at a critical point in its development from pipe dream, through R&D, to commercial viability. "The UK is already by far the most attractive place to develop these emerging technologies. The Government has invested £15 million in R&D, and it's now clear that there are a number of exciting wave and tidal projects on the verge of pre-commercial operation. This new £42m scheme marks a watershed. It will kickstart construction of large scale demonstration farms and will for the first time see wave and tidal power feeding into the national grid. Harnessing energy from the seas has terrific potential which, alongside wind and other renewables, will make an increasingly vital contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and diversifying our energy mix."

The marine renewable industry welcomed the announcement as "a major milestone in the development of the sector". Philip Wolfe of the Renewable Power Association, whose Ocean Energy Group represents wave and tidal energy companies, said: "This will enable British industry to maintain world leadership in this crucial renewable energy sector. We are particularly pleased that the DTI has worked so closely with the industry and other stakeholders in developing this scheme."

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