SECTOR PROFILE
This dynamic, emerging sector consists of around 1,300 enterprises, employs over 20,000 people and contributes around £1,300 million to the South West economy. Estimates say that the economy associated with the environment has the potential to develop a further 39,000 jobs and £670 million of additional output over the next few years.
The South West has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity and heat from renewable energy. For example, the region has some of the best wave energy resources in Europe, with suggestions that it could produce 10% of the government's onshore wind energy production targets for 2010.
There are currently some 1,100 people employed in renewable energy alone in the South West. A 2005 study found that there could be as many as 6,600 full-time equivalent people employed in the renewables sector in the South West by 2010 and 17,400 by 2020. Its total contribution to the South West economy could be as much as £183 million by 2010 and £517 million by 2020.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE
South West Universities have extensive expertise in Environmental Technology (ET) and the level of skills in ET businesses is very high, with approximately 80% of ET companies employing graduates and over 50% employing postgraduates.
SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
Regen South West is the renewable energy agency for South West England. Its role is to help develop all aspects of the renewable energy industry in the South West by giving independent advice to decision makers; acting as a sounding board for developers; supporting demonstrator projects across a range of technologies at both micro and utility scale and stimulating an informed public debate about renewable energy.
Its objectives are:
- to increase the number of high quality renewable energy projects on the ground in South West England
- to secure short-term growth by supporting business in the renewable energy sector
- to position the region for long term economic growth by developing early leadership in renewable energy technologies.
For more information, visit www.regensw.co.uk
KEY PLAYERS IN SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
Aquator Group
World leader in the supply operation and maintenance of submerged flat sheet membrane bioreactor technology.
www.mbrtech.com
BICAL
The largest cultivator in the UK of miscanthus - an energy crop used in Biomass Energy.
http://www.bical.net/
Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Plc
Water and sewerage company.
www.bwhwater.co.uk
Bristol Water Plc
Water and sewerage company.
www.bristolwater.co.uk
Brixham Environmental Laboratories
A multidisciplinary service to industry for the investigation and resolution of environmental issues.
http://www.brixham-lab.com/
Compact Power
Conversion technology for a wide range of wastes using pyrolysis, gasification and high temperature oxidation.
www.compactpower.co.uk
Darp Environmental
A not-for-profit environmental organisation carrying out extensive research into the future of recycling under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.
www.darpenvironmental.com
Eco Scientific Ltd
A supplier of quality instrumentation, calibration and analytical products.
www.eco-scientific.co.uk
Ecotricity
The world's first green electricity company dedicated to changing the way electricity is made and investing record amounts building new sources of green energy.
www.ecotricity.co.uk
Eden Project
Promotes the understanding and responsible management of the relationship between plants, people and resources, leading to a sustainable future for all.
www.edenproject.com
Enviro Technology Services Plc
World class supplier and leading UK exporter, specialising in environmental monitoring instrumentation for air quality monitoring and applications.
www.et.co.uk
Geoscience Limited
An independent applied earth science consultancy primarily serving the oil and gas industry, helping them minimise risk and uncertainty, problem solve and save money.
Halcrow
An environmental services consultancy specialising in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide.
www.halcrow.com
Haskoning UK Ltd
Environmental and engineering consultants considering all technical, logistical, legal, organisational, social, environmental and economic aspects of projects, to develop sustainable and practical solutions.
www.royalhaskoning.com/royalhaskoning/corporate/en-gb
Johnson Matthey
Manufacturer of pollution control systems, catalysts and components for fuel cells.
www.matthey.com
Marine Current Turbines
A renewable energy company developing radically new technology for exploiting tidal currents for large-scale power generation. Built the world's first offshore tidal turbine.
http://www.marineturbines.com/home.htm
Met Office
Research and Development in the fields of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and observations.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
Plymouth Marine Laboratories
World class research in marine environmental science and technology.
http://www.pml.ac.uk
Remade Kernow
Company focusing on development of new, bigger, stronger markets for recycled materials recycled materials so that resources can be reused - and turned from costly rubbish into profitable product.
www.remadekernow.co.uk
South West Water
Water and sewerage company.
www.swwater.co.uk
Towens Waste Management
Specialists in waste management, plant hire and related services.
www.towens.co.uk
Viridor Waste Management
A fully integrated waste management company, offering reliable waste management solutions linked to recycling, waste minimisation and best value.
www.viridor-waste.co.uk
WasteGen (UK) Ltd
Supplier of solid waste management products and services combining pyrolysis with recycling and composting in an integrated design to enable Local Authorities achieve their recovery and landfill avoidance targets.
www.wastegen.com
Wessex Water
Water and sewerage company.
www.wessexwater.co.uk
