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RDA welcomes Government's study into Marine Energy
30 April 2009
A Government study to look at the potential for wave,
tidal-stream and tidal range technologies around the English and
Welsh coastline has been welcomed by the South West RDA (Regional
Development Agency).
The study was announced today by Lord Hunt who was speaking at
the British Wind Energy Agency (BWEA), tidal and wave conference in
Bath, which is being sponsored by the South West RDA. It is the
first time such a study has taken place.
Claire Gibson, Director of Sustainable Resources at the South
West RDA, which is leading the region towards a low-carbon economy,
said: "South West England has an excellent marine energy resource
that could contribute significantly towards meeting our future
energy and climate change goals so we welcome today's announcement.
We are beginning to see a world-class marine energy industry
develop in the region, supported by the South West RDA's investment
in projects such as Wave Hub and PRIMaRE."
The study will allow the Government to understand better the
energy potential of marine energy devices and the realistic
timescale of when multiple devices will be installed and
commissioned. This work will also build on data already gathered
for the Offshore Energy Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), the
Welsh Marine Energy Strategic Plan and other studies.
The Government will seek input from developers, utilities and
other relevant bodies about their plans and preferred locations for
developing commercial scale marine energy farms. Any data gaps
needed to put in place a SEA for marine energy devices in England
and Wales will also be identified. The study will inform the
Government on whether a full SEA for England and Wales is required.
It will exclude the Severn Estuary as a feasibility study is
already underway.
Claire Gibson, added: "We have been encouraging the Government
to undertake an SEA for marine renewable energy off the region's
coast for sometime as it is a vital ingredient to developing a
marine energy industry in the South West. We therefore welcome
today's announcement and now need to ensure that this is undertaken
as quickly as possible."
Ends
Note to editors
1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.