DECC: Marine energy technology will be sourced from UK
Monday 05 July 2010
The government is committed to harnessing the “tremendous benefits” of a successful wave and tidal renewable energy sector and is considering putting policy in place to ensure technology and jobs do not go overseas, energy minister Greg Barker has claimed. Joining fellow energy minister Charles Hendry and energy secretary Chris Huhne, Mr Barker on the subject of marine energy development confirmed that the government was considering specific measures, such as marine parks, to ensure the UK benefits from the wave and tidal sector. This was in response to Mark Menzies, Conservative MP for Fylde, who asked Mr Barker whether he will take steps to ensure that Britain will be the world leader in wave and tidal technology and not allow the technology and jobs to go overseas.
Mr Barker said: “The hon. Gentleman makes a key point. Under the last government, 95% of the infrastructure and turbines for one of the largest offshore wind projects was built abroad. We cannot allow that to happen, and we have a policy of marine parks to ensure that that does not happen with this nascent, potentially world-beating British technology.” The energy minister then provided an update on the Severn Estuary project, claiming ministers were currently considering the evidence from the two-year cross-government Severn tidal power feasibility study, with a view to deciding whether the government can support a tidal power scheme on the Severn estuary, and if so, on what terms. He added that the government expected to make an announcement shortly